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Elongated Mustard

Information

Brassica elongata - Brassicaceae Family - Perennial

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Identification

  • Flowers: The small bright yellow flowers have 4 obovate shaped petals, each containing 6 stamens.
  • Seeds:  The seeds are grey to brown with a reticulate coat. They are spread when the seed stalks dry, break off, and are rolled by the wind. Seeds can remain viable in the ground for up to 10 years.
  • Leaves: Basal leaves are slightly lobed to shallowly toothed and lance-shaped. Upper leaves are much smaller and do not clasp the stem.
  • Flowering Time: June through July.
  • Life cycle:  Elongated Mustard is a perennial that can grow worldwide. It germinates in mid spring (cold weather affects this) and flowers in mid to late summer. Seeds are produced shortly thereafter.  

Impacts

  • Its ability to spread extremely rapidly allows Elongated Mustard to outcompete most native wildflowers, decreasing biodiversity. 
  • Elongated Mustard quickly colonizes disturbed ground, making restoration and replanting with native species difficult.
  • Elongated Mustard seeds can be harvested to produce oil. It is currently being studied for possible use in biodiesel production in several European countries.

Control

Most effective control methods

  • Small infestations of Elongated Mustard can be effectively controlled by manually pulling and disposing in the trash.
  • There are currently no biocontrol agents approved to combat Elongated Mustard in the US.
  • Elongated Mustard is best treated at the beginning at its life cycle (late autumn).

Large Images

 

elongated_mustard_1
© by Rostyslav Yurechko

Elongated mustard: flowers

 

 

elongated_mustard_2
Chaffee County Weed Department

Elongated mustard: foliage

 

 

elongated_mustard_3
© Michael Hassler

Elongated mustard: infestation

 

 

elongated_mustard_4
Chaffee County Weed Department

Elongated mustard

 

 

elongated_mustard_5
© H. Tinguy

Elongated mustard: flowers

 

 

elongated_mustard_6
Chaffee County Weed Department

Elongated mustard: flowers

 

 

elongated_mustard_7
Chaffee County Weed Department

Elongated mustard: flowers

 

 

elongated_mustard_8
© Michael Hassler

Elongated mustard: flowers

Resources

  • Elongated Mustard Fact Sheet

  • References

    Colorado Department of Agriculture. (2012, March). Elongated mustard identification and management [PDF file]. Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-92XbrJ_RFenINqNxb2snexNE2C69MwI/view

    Fremont County Weed Management. (2015, April). Guideline for weed management plans for Fremont and Custer counties [PDF file]. Retrieved from http://www.fremontcd.org/uploads/4/1/4/9/41499099/booklet_4th_edition.pdf

    Global Invasive Species Database. (2018). Species profile: Brassica elongata. Retrieved from http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=1064

    Swearingen, J., C. Bargeron. (2016). Elongated mustard. Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States. University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. Retrieved from https://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=32051