Hoary cress

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Hoary cress leaves

Hoary cress inflorescence

Hoary cress flowers

Hoary cress inflorescence

Hoary cress

Hoary cress pods

Morphology

Stem

Erect, stout, branching above, short-hairy below, nearly smooth above.

Leaves

Alternate, simple, bluish-green, oblong to egg-shaped, ascending or erect; margins irregularly toothed, wavy or entire; basal leaves stalked, 1.6 to 4 inches long, to 1.6 inches wide; upper leaves clasping, oblong to lanceolate, .8 to 2.8 inches long.

Inflorescence

Racemes, numerous, densely-flowered, terminal; form broad, flat-topped corymbs.

Flower

Stalk 2/5 to 3/5 inch long; sepals 4, blunt, glabrous, 1/12 to 1/10 inch long; petals 4, spatulate, 1/8 to 1/6 inch long, white to cream, clawed; margins toothed to entire; nectar glands large, well-developed; stamens 6.

Fruit

Pod, broadly heart-shaped, 1/10 to 1/8 inch long, 1/8 to 1/5 inch wide, somewhat flattened, glabrous; stalks 2/5 to 3/5 inch long, seeds 2-4, oval, about 1/12 inch wide, reddish-brown.

Ecology

Habitat

Roadsides, open waste areas, cultivated fields; disturbed, alkaline soils.

Distribution

East 3/4 of Kansas.

Practical Information

Forage Value

Livestock will graze it when other forage is unavailable but it will irritate the mucous membranes.

Uses

Small mammals and ground-foraging birds eat the seeds.

Additional Notes