58 COMMON WEEDS 



be considered here. Crucifers should be cut down 

 and eradicated, both because they are harmful to crops, 

 and because they harbour insects and fungi injurious to 

 farm and garden crops. 



Hedge Mustard (Sisymbrium officinaleL.) is a common 

 weed of hedgerows, waste places, and roadsides, in 

 which latter position " it seems to have a peculiar apti- 

 tude for collecting and retaining dust " (Johns). It 

 is an annual i to 2 feet high, with deeply lobed, hairy 

 leaves, and small yellow flowers ; the downy pods when 

 ripe are closely pressed to the leafless stem. It can 

 be kept in check by hoeing and cutting down to pre- 

 vent seeding. 



Garlic Mustard (Sisymbrium Alliaria L.), also known 

 as Sauce-alone, Jack-by-the-Hedge, is a leafy annual 

 of 2 to 3 feet high, with rather large stalked leaves, 

 more or less heart- or kidney-shaped, and coarsely 

 toothed. The flowers are white, J inch across, and 

 appear from April to June, while the stiff, rather curved 

 pods are over 2 inches long. This weed is very 

 common along hedge banks and similar positions, 

 especially on the heavier soils. It should be regularly 

 cut down. 



Charlock (Sinapis arvensis L.), so well known as 

 Kedlock, Skellock, Yellow Weed, and Wild Mustard, is 

 a ubiquitous weed of arable land, especially cornfields, 

 and is probably more troublesome on almost all soils 

 (especially light calcareous loams) than any other 

 annual. It is a tall, rough, branched weed, with large 

 ovate or lyrate toothed leaves, yellow flowers of \ inch 

 or over in diameter, and spreading, angled, rough 

 pods i to 2 inches long (Fig. n). When pulled by 

 hand Charlock quickly discolours the skin a dirty 

 green. 



Not only is this pest a strong, rapid grower, but 



