BACKGROUND: Native to Eurasia, elongated mustard is a weed of disturbed sites and roadsides. It tolerates a wide variety of growing conditions, and thrives in desert settings.

DESCRIPTION: Elongated mustard can be a biennial, winter annual, or short-lived perennial. Branched at the base, the plant grows to 3 feet tall. Lower leaves are shaped like flattened circles with slightly toothed margins, stem leaves are oblong and smaller. Bright yellow, fragrant four-petaled flowers are borne in clusters along stems in mid-summer. Seedpods grow upright and have a tapered tip. The plant produces abundant seed. Seeds are dispersed by wind, and become sticky when wet.

CONTROL: Hand-pulling and digging of seedlings and older plants before seed set is recommended. Herbicides can be effective.