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Integrated Crop Management
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Hedge mustard

hedge mustard                      Sisymbrium officinale (L.) Scop.

Family:  Brassicaceae

Life cycle:   Winter or summer annual

Habitat:  disturbed areas

Native status:

General description:  Erect plant with spreading branches reaching heights of 1 to 3.5 ft.  Initially forms a rosette of basal leaves, early leaves are egg-shaped with wavy margins.  Later leaves are deeply lobed, somewhat resembling leaves of dandelion or a biennial thistle.  Leaves are bristly haired.  Flowering stems are erect and hairy.  Upper leaves are mostly sessile, oblong to lanceolate.  Flowers are yellow with four petals, less than a ¼” in diameter, and produced in clusters at end of stem.  Fruit is a capsule 0.5-1.0 in long.

Key ID traits:   Hairy, deeply lobed rosette and upper leaves.  The rosettes of hedge mustard are larger than the other more common mustards found in Iowa (shepherdspurse, pennycress, etc.).

terminal clusters of yellow, four-petaled flowers
Terminal clusters of yellow, four-petaled flowers
rosette of lobed, pubescent leaves
Rosette of lobed, pubescent leaves
pubescent stem of hedge mustard
Pubescent stem of hedge mustard
Authored by:
Bob Hartzler
Bob Hartzler
  • Retired Weed Scientist and Professor of Agronomy
Dr. Bob Hartzler is a former professor of agronomy and a former extension weed specialist with a Ph.D. in Crop Physiology from Iowa State University. He conducted research on weed biology and how it impacts the efficacy of weed management programs in corn and soybean. Dr. Hartzler also taught undergraduate classes in weed science and weed identification.
Meaghan Anderson
Meaghan Anderson
  • Field Agronomist in Central Iowa
Meaghan Anderson is a field agronomist serving nine counties in central Iowa and an extension specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Areas of expertise include weed management, weed biology, cover crops, corn and soybean management, and integrated pest management.

Meaghan holds a bachelor's degree in agronomy and a master's degree in crop production and physiology (focus: weed science) from Iowa State University.

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