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 Field pennycress upper leaf
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 flowers Field pennycress fruit
Field pennycress flowering cluster (left). Field pennycress fruit (right).

Reproduction

Seeds.

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