Sinapis arvensis L.
Family: Brassicaceae
Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)
Brassica kaber (DC.) L.C. Wheeler
Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)
wild mustard, kaber mustard
Primary Disseminule Type
seed
Description (diagnostics are in brown)
Fruit a many-seeded, dehiscent silique, linear-cylindric to angled or compressed, often slightly constricted between seeds, glabrous or stiffly hairy, (1.5)2–4.5(5.7) cm long x (1.5)2.5–3.5(4 mm) wide including the conical or partly flattened apical beak (=terminal segment) which is 6–16 mm long.
Seed nearly globose, (1)1.5–1.7(2) mm diameter, lacking a distinct ridge or groove representing the position of the radicle. Surface glabrous, reddish-brown to black (rarely tan, orangish, or bicolored), obscurely to finely reticulated (when not obscured by a mucilaginous coating), interspaces and reticulum of mature seeds striated or otherwise stigmaticose.
Hilar region a flush or slightly raised white linear ridge (on lighter-colored seeds the funiculus may run into a very small, dark, circular area).
Embryo bent, cotyledons conduplicate, endosperm lacking.
Similar Species
Similar Species Comparison Chart
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