THE MUSTARD FAMILY 101 



ALLIED SPECIES: Small Erysimum (Erysimum parvi- 

 flonim Nutt.) is a perennial species commonly met in Ontario 

 as a wayside weed, occasionally giving trouble about the edges 

 of fields and in old meadows and pastures. It is widely distrib- 

 uted in western Canada, but not so abundant as Worm-seed 

 Mustard. It is less branched than the former species, the leaves 

 more slender, and the pods much longer, on shorter footstalks. 



Western Wall-flower or Prairie Rocket (Erysimum asperum 

 D.C.). A prominent object on dry, gravelly soil throughout the 

 prairie region. The plant is characterized by its minutely 

 roughish-hoary appearance, lance-shaped to linear leaves, bright 

 orange yellow flowers, and long, almost erect pods. 



Yellow Rocket or Yellow Weed (Barbarea vulgaris R. Br.). 

 A common and conspicuous wayside weed along the Atlantic 

 Coast. A smooth perennial, lower leaves much divided, the 

 terminal division round and usually large, upper leaves obovate, 

 pinnatifid at the base, pods erect or nearly so, on spreading 

 footstalks. 



Rock Cresses (Arabis), many of which are widely dis- 

 tributed throughout Canada, seldom give serious trouble as 

 farm weeds. Tower Mustard (Arabis glabra (L.) Bernh.) is a 

 representative of this genus and is commonly seen along rail- 

 ways and in waste places. The general characteristics of the 

 genus are: long, somewhat flattened seed-pods, leaves seldom 

 divided, and flowers usually white or purple. 



A rural charm against dodder, tetter, and strangling weeds, is by placing a chalked 

 tile at the four corners, and one in the middle of our fields, which, though ridiculous in 

 its intention, was rational in the contrivance, and a good way to diffuse the magic through 

 all parts of the area. 



Sir Thomas Browne, 1650. 



