Field Pennycress

Seedling plant.  Key characteristics: Cotyledons are oval and curve towards the ground.  Young leaves have irregularly toothed, wavy margins.

Rosette of leaves. 

Flowering plant.  Key characteristics: leaves on the flowering stems lack petioles and project lobes from their bases where they join the stem.

Flower.  Key characteristics: flowers are white and have 4 petals.

Fruit.  Key characteristics: fruit is flattened and round with a small notch in its upper portion.

Seed.  Seed are oval, flattened and have a rough texture due to its grooves.  Length is between 1.0 and 2.0 mm.

Life cycle: winter annual.

Toxic Plant: all parts of the plant are considered toxic, especially the seeds which contain isoallyl thiocyanates, irritant oils, and under some conditions, nitrates.  Symptoms of poisoning include oral and gastrointestinal irritation leading to head shaking, salivating, colic, abdominal pain, vomiting and possibly diarrhea.  Generally, for problems to occur, large quantities have to be consumed over a period of time.