Weed ID

WHITETOP or HOARY CRESS

Brassicaceae or Mustard Family
Cardaria draba

GROWTH HABIT: Perennial, grows up to 2 feet tall.

LEAVES: Rosette leaves are blue-green. Stem leaves are blue-green to gray-green and arrow-shaped with occasional finely toothed edges. All leaves are covered with soft white hairs. Leaves of the lower stem are on stalks, while leaves of the upper stem attach directly to the stem with tow clasping lobes.

STEMS: Slender stalks that are about 1/2 inch long.

FLOWERS: Four white petals arranged in a cross. Dense clusters of small flowers create the white, flat-top appearance. Bloom in May and produces seeds a month later.

ROOTS: Vertical taproots and rhizomatous lateral roots. Vertical taproots reach a depth of 12 to 30 feet by the second or third growing season. Lateral roots eventually turn down to become vertical roots, which often reach greater depths than the parent roots. Both roots produces adventitious buds, which develop into rhizomes and shoots. A single plant can produce 50 shoots per year with competition.

SEEDS: Seed capsules are broad, float, heart-shaped pods with two reddish-brown seeds. A single plant can produces from 1,200 to 4,800 seeds each year. Seeds are viable for about three years.

REPRODUCES: From vegetative root segments and seeds.

HABITAT: Open, unshaded areas. Found in disturbed areas dominated by other exotic species.

"Watch out for this New Invader"