Hirschfeldia incana (L.) Lagr.-Fossat
Family: Brassicaceae
Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)
Brassica geniculata (Desf.) J. Ball, B. adpressa (Moench) Boiss.
Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)
shortpod mustard, hoary mustard
Primary Disseminule Type
seed
Description (diagnostics are in brown)
Fruit a multi-seeded, dehiscent silique, usually glabrous, longitudinally striate, cylindrical, with distinct beak that is swollen at the base, 0.7–1.5(1.7) cm long (including beak) x 1–1.7(2) mm wide.
Seed ovoid to squarish-oblong in outline, compressed, cross-section broadly elliptic, both faces longitudinally convex, 0.9–1.5 mm long x (0.6)0.8–0.9 mm wide x 0.6–0.7 mm thick, with or without a longitudinal groove on each face indicating the position of the radicle. Surface glabrous, reticulated with large interspaces ± aligned in rows, interspaces minutely pitted, semi-glossy, reddish-brown with a darker (sometimes black) circular marking over the cotyledons at the hilar end of the seed.
Hilum in a notch, white funiculus often present.
Embryo bent, cotyledons conduplicate, endosperm lacking.
Similar Species
See Similar Species Comparison Chart and compare to seeds of Lepidium.
Risk Assessment (codes in yellow or red indicate cause for concern; assessments are current as of mid-2011; click AUQP, NZBORIC, or NZBPI for access to the most recent versions of these databases and possible assessment changes)
AUQP, NZBORIC, NZBPI