Leaves generally basal and cauline, alternate, generally simple; stipules 0
Inflorescence: generally raceme
Flower bisexual; sepals 4, free; petals (0)4, free, generally white or yellow, often clawed; stamens generally (2,4)6, generally 4 long, 2 short; ovary 1, superior, chambers generally 2, septum membranous, connecting 2 parietal placentas, style 1, stigma simple or 2-lobed
Fruit: generally capsule ("silique") with 2 deciduous valves, sometimes breaking transversely or indehiscent
Seeds 1–many per chamber
Genera in family: 300+ genera, 3000+ species: worldwide, especially cool regions; some cultivated for food (especially Brassica, Raphanus ) and ornamental
Recent taxonomic note: Recently treated to include Capparaceae [Rodman et al. 1993 Ann Missouri Bot Gard 80:686–699; Rollins 1993 Cruciferae of Continental North America. Stanford Univ Press]
Family description, key to genera by Robert A. Price.
SINAPIS
Annual, rarely per; hairs 0 or simple, reflexed or spreading
Stem erect, leafy, ± branched
Leaves: basal not rosetted, petioled, pinnately lobed or not, terminal lobe > lateral; upper cauline reduced, sessile, base tapered
Inflorescence terminal, not flat-topped, elongate in fruit; bracts 0
Flower: sepals spreading, yellowish, bases not sac-like; petals yellow to pale yellow
Fruit cylindric to angled or ± flat, hairy or not; beak prominent
Seeds 1 row per chamber, spheric; wing 0
Species in genus: 6 species: Medit, Eurasia
Etymology: (Latin: mustard, from flavor of seeds)
| Introduced |
S. arvensis L.
CHARLOCK
Annual 2–6(–10) dm; hairs at least below, awl- to bristle-like
Leaves coarsely toothed; lower 5–15 cm, obovate, irregularly dissected or lobed; upper simple
Flower: petals ± 10 mm, ± yellow
Fruit 20–35 mm, often narrowed between seeds, 5–12-seeded
Seed reddish brown
Chromosomes: 2n=16
Ecology: Grainfields, orchards, disturbed areas
Elevation: < 500 m.
Bioregional distribution: California Floristic Province (except High Sierra Nevada)
Distribution outside California: widespread US, native to Europe
Synonyms: Brassica kaber (DC.) L.C. Wheeler, including vars. pinnatifida (Stokes) L.C. Wheeler, schkuhriana (Rchb.) L.C. Wheeler
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