There are hundreds of plants in the Mustard Family, but they all
follow a particular pattern.
All have four petals, four sepals, and six stamens (4 tall and 2 shorter
ones). The plants shown on this page have very tiny blossoms that grow
in clusters at the top of the plant. The plants grow taller as their
seed pods ripen -- more flowers bloom at the top while ripe seed pods
can be seen below, along the stem.
Alyssum
(Alyssum minus)
Yellow blossoms. Flattened oval-shaped seed pods about one fourth
inch long, with a tiny point on the end.
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Flixweed
(Descurainia sophia)
Yellow blossoms. Seed pods are long and thin, almost like
needles. They point upward from the stem.
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Pepperweed
(Lepidium perfoliatum)
Also known as "peppergrass", although the plant is not related
to the grasses.
Yellow blossoms. Small oval seed pods.
Leaves on the upper part of the plant almost surround
the stem, so that the stem appears to grow
through the centers of perforated leaves.
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Shepherd's Purse
(Capsella bursa-pastorus)
White blossoms. Seed pods shaped like tiny flattened hearts
(or like old-fashioned money bags).
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