Hirschfeldia incana

Species category

Weed

Common name

shortpod mustard

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

OvalOval:
Broadly elliptic.

Size

  • Length 1–1.5 mm
  • Width 0.6–0.9 mm
  • Thickness 0.4–0.6 mm 

Color

Reddish-brown

Texture

ReticulatedReticulated:
Resembling a net or network, especially having veins, fibers, or lines crossing the surface.  

Other structures

The groove separates the radicleRadicle:
The rudimentary root of the embryo, developing into the primary root after emergence from the seed coat.
and cotyledonsCotyledon:
The modified storage leaf or pair of leaves of an embryo and seedling (see primary leaf).
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Identification notes

Surface groove terminates at the hilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
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Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Brassicaceae

Valid name

Hirschfeldia incana (L.) Lagr.-Foss.

Synonyms

Brassica geniculata (Desf.) J. Ball
Brassica incana Ten.
Sinapis incana L.

 Hirschfeldia incana.  Reddish-brown seeds with a surface groove that terminates at the hilum. 
Hirschfeldia incana. Reddish-brown seeds with a surface groove that terminates at the hilum. 
 Hirschfeldia incana.  Close-up of reticulum showing pitted interspaces. Photo courtesy of USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Hirschfeldia incana. Close-up of reticulum showing pitted interspaces. Photo courtesy of USDA-APHIS-PPQ.