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Mediterranean hoary mustard, Mediterranean mustard, mustard, short-pod mustard, summer mustard, summer- or hoary-mustard

Stems

(2–)4–15(–20) dm, densely pubescent proximally, trichomes retrorse.

Basal leaves

petiole 1–4(–10) cm;

blade (3–)4–22(–35) cm × 15–60(–80) mm, lobes 1–6(–9) each side, ovate or lanceolate, (smaller than terminal), terminal lobe broadly ovate, surfaces densely pubescent.

Cauline leaves

(distal) ± sessile;

blade oblong to lanceolate, similar to basal, (smaller distally).

Flowers

sepals 3–5 × 1.2–2 mm;

petals 5–10 × 2.5–4.5 mm;

filaments 3–5 mm;anthers 1–1.5 mm.

Fruiting pedicels

(appressed to rachis, almost as thick as fruit), 2–4(–5) mm.

Fruits

0.7–1.5(–1.7) cm × 1–1.7 mm;

valves 6–10 mm;

terminal segment 3–6 mm.

Seeds

0.9–1.5 mm diam. 2n = 14.

Hirschfeldia incana

Phenology Flowering Apr–Nov.
Habitat Roadsides, waste places, disturbed areas, canyons, creek bottoms, dry fields, open desert
Elevation 100-1600 m (300-5200 ft)
Distribution
from FNA
CA; NV; OR; Eurasia; nw Africa [Introduced in North America; introduced also in South America, s Africa, Atlantic Islands, Pacific Islands (Hawaii), Australia]
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Discussion

Hirschfeldia incana was first collected in North America in 1895 in the San Bernardino region, and by 1936 it was described as “already a serious agricultural pest, spreading freely over dry, unbroken ground and flourishing chiefly during the arid summer season” (W. L. Jepson 1909–1943, vol. 2).

Hirschfeldia incana can be confused with Brassica nigra because both have fruits appressed to the rachis. The former is distinguished from the latter by its distinctly shorter fruit, seeded and often swollen beak, and smaller petals.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Source FNA vol. 7, p. 437.
Parent taxa Brassicaceae > tribe Brassiceae > Hirschfeldia
Synonyms Sinapis incana, Brassica adpressa, Brassica geniculata, H. adpressa, Sinapis geniculata
Name authority (Linnaeus) Lagrèze-Fossat: Fl. Tarn Garonne, 19. (1847)
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