Hirschfeldia incana

Hirschfeldia incana_shortpod mustard_flower_ M JM DiTomaso
Photo: Joseph DiTomaso

Synonyms: Brassica geniculata, Sinapsis geniculata, Sinapsis incana

Common names: short-pod mustard; Mediterranean mustard; summer mustard; Greek mustard

Hirschfeldia incana (short-pod mustard, summer mustard) is a biennial or short-lived perennial forb (family Brassicaceae) that is native to the Mediterranean. It is shorter in stature than black mustard (<40 dm) and highly branched, with soft-haired, pinnately-lobed leaves, yellow flowers, and short (<1.7 cm) seed pods that are appressed to stems. Short-pod mustard can suppress native vegetation through rapid growth and shading and flourishes in disturbed conditions and recently burned lands. It occurs on roadsides and other disturbed habitat, in shrublands, and in grasslands.

Cal-IPC Rating: Moderate?

CDFA Rating: None?

Assessment(s)

Plant Assessment Form - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.

Weed Management Notes

  • Management Notes - Information on management techniques and effectiveness from the University of California Cooperative Extension’s Weed Research & Information Center.

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

Other Hirschfeldia incana Information

  • CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
  • Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
  • CalWeedMapper - Distribution map of this species in California with ability to determine regional priorities.
  • EDDMapS - Distribution of this species in North America.
  • Jepson Interchange - Information on this plant's taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
  • USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.
  • Additional photos

    Hirschfeldia incana_flowers_copyright 2008_NealKramer
    Hirschfeldia incana (short-pod mustard) flowers. Photo: &#169 2008 Neal Kramer
    Hirschfeldia incana_seed pods_copyright 2008_NealKramer
    Hirschfeldia incana (short-pod mustard) seed pods. Photo: &#169 2008 Neal Kramer
    Hirschfeldia incana_growth form_copyright 2014_NealKramer
    Hirschfeldia incana (short-pod mustard) growth habit. Photo: &#169 2014 Neal Kramer