BERBERIDACEAE -- Barberry Family - New Mexico Flores

Scientific Name:
Sisymbrium altissimum
Size:
30 - 100 cm
BRASSICACEAE -- Mustard Family
Description:
Erect annual herb, stems branched above, with
coarse, stiff hairs near base. Lowest leaves
coarsely pinnatifid or lobed, 1 - 20 cm long,
with coarse, stiff hairs. Upper leaves pinnatifid
into long linear segments. Flowers perfect, on
stalks 4 - 10 mm long, in loose clusters at
branch ends. Sepals 4, 4 - 5 mm long, obovate
to spatulate, tapering to a narrow base. Stamens
6, 4 equal, 2 shorter. Fruit a cylindrical 2chambered
pod 5 - 9 cm long, 1 - 1.5 mm wide.
Fruiting stalks stout, spreading. Pods extending
at same angle as stalk.
165
Common Name:
Tumblemustard
Color:
Pale yellow
Notes:
When mature, the plants can be uprooted by the
wind. As they tumble, seed is distributed. This
plant is also commonly called Jim Hill mustard.
Many people thought the plants spread into the
West along railroad tracks from the East, so
they named it after James J. Hill (1838-1916), a
Minnesota railroad magnate of the late 19th
century. It blooms from May into August
between 5000 and 7000 ft.
Introduced*