Mustard, Purple - Chorispora Tenella

(Purple mustard, Blue mustard, Musk mustard, Crossflower)

Family: Mustard (Brassicaceae) - Non-native originating in Europe and Asia

Location

1. On trail at #9 before the church (GPS- N35D32'59.862 X W105D41'20.957)

2. Throughout the trail


Flowers first observed: 3/27/17


The Plant w/Flowers

The Flowers


Distribution

"Widespread across most of the United States, less common in the easternmost states." (SEINet)


Description

"Chorispora tenella originates in Europe and Asia but has long been introduced in the US, where it can be very abundant, carpeting whole fields; the species is classed as a noxious weed in many areas. Leaves and stems have a sparse covering of sticky, glandular hairs; white stalks, often topped by a light brown gland. Plants produce small numbers of flowers towards the stop of the stem, blooming over a period of several months.

Flowers are formed of four greenish-purple sepals, partly fused into a tube a quarter of an inch long, and four spreading magenta-pink petals, narrow (clawed) at the base and similar in length to the sepals. The fruit is a gently upwards-curved green pod, up to 2 inches long. The plant exudes a strong, musky aroma." (American Southwest.net)


Ethnobotanical Uses

None found


Internet Links