Nearctica - Eastern Wildflowers - Brassicaceae - Field Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense)

Field Pennycress

(Thlaspi arvense)

Color Photograph: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

Capsella bursa-pastoris

The absence of a basal rosette of dandelionlike leaves will separate this species from Shepherd's Purse.

Lepidium campestre

The seed pods of Cow Cress and Poor-man's Pepper are more elongate, not as strongly notched at the apex, and less segregated into inner and outer zones.

Lepidium virginicum

The seed pods of Cow Cress and Poor-man's Pepper are more elongate, not as strongly notched at the apex, and less segregated into inner and outer zones.

Field Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense)

Alien: Native of Europe.

Identification: Flowers white, arranged in a raceme. Seed pods flat, round, with an apical, deep notch. Seed pod with a distinct division between the central, rounded seed and the outer, papery margin. Basal rosette of leaves absent. Stem leaves elongate with basal projections clasping stem and outer margin toothed.. Plant 6 to 18 inches in height.

Distribution: Throughout North America.

Habitat: This species is found in a variety of disturbed habitats including lawns, roadsides, and fields.

Flowering period: April to August.

Field Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense)

Similar Species:

Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)

Cow Cress (Lepidium campestre)

Poor-man's Pepper (Lepidium virginicum)

Similar Species