Field pennycress
August 7, 2015
Thlaspi arvense L.
Life cycle
Erect winter or summer annual.
Leaves
Leaves initially develop from a basal rosette. Lower leaves are oval to spatula-shaped with wavy to slightly toothed margins, rounded tips and distinct petioles. Upper leaves are alternate with toothed to smooth margins and clasping bases. Basal leaves fall off before maturity.
Field pennycress rosette (left). Field pennycress upper leaf (right).
Stems
Erect, mostly 2-foot-tall stems with varied branching bolt from a basal rosette to flower.
Flowers and fruit
White flowers with four small petals are found in terminal clusters. Fruit are flat, round to oval, distinctly winged, 1/2-inch-wide pods with a prominent notch at the tip.
Field pennycress flowering cluster (left). Field pennycress fruit (right).
Reproduction
Seeds.
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