Duration: Annual. Nativity: Non-Native. Lifeform: Forb/Herb. General: Weedy annual herb with stems 30-150 cm tall, generally highly branched, hirsute up to the inflorescence. Leaves: Basal leaves petioled, 7-15 cm long, deeply pinnately lobed with lanceolate segments. Stem leaves alternate, gradually reduced, petioled, deeply pinnately lobed with linear segments near top. Flowers: Raceme with sepals 4-5 mm long, outer two with erect horns, petals 5-9 mm long, pale yellow to nearly white. Fruits: Spreading siliques, linear and cylindric, 5-10 cm long, about 1 mm wide, branch-like. Ecology: Found in disturbed sites from 3,000-8,000 ft (914-2438 m); flowers April-September. Distribution: Native to Eurasia and natualized throughout most of the US and Canada. Also occurs in Africa and South America. Notes: This annual weed is distinguished by large, deeply pinnately lobed basal leaves and very narrow, delicate leaves on the upper part of the stem; long, narrow fruits that are only about as wide as their pedicels (fruiting stalks); and pale, cream or white colored flowers. S. irio is common annual weed in the genus; it has yellow flowers, is not as tall, with a maximum height of about 0.7 m, and the cauline leaves are the same size and shape as the basal leaves, or only a little reduced in size. S. linifolium also has yellow flowers, generally is not taller than 0.7m, and has much smaller leaves than S. altissima. Ethnobotany: Used as an emetic and the seeds were eaten in a porridge. Etymology: Sisymbrium is from a Greek name for some plants of the mustard family, while altissimum means very tall, or tallest.

Santa Catalina Mountains
Catalina Highway pullout
Location: In canyon below Cypress Picnic Area.
4/22/15

Notes: Bear Picnic Area beside wash 5/17/17.

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