flDu0tarb Jfamil^. 



Field Mustard. Brassica 8inqpistrum. 



Charlock. 



Crowd Weed (W. Va.). 



Found in grain fields, and along cultivated lands, from July to 

 September. 



The large and branching stalk is zigzag or curved in habit of 

 growth, about 2 or 3 feet high, and ribbed ; with occasional hairs ; it is 

 bright green in color. 



The lower leaves are lyre-shaped and large, the middle lobe wide 

 and curving to a long pointed tip,, the side lobes being narrow ; the 

 upper leaves are irregularly cut ; the margins are notched (the points 

 of the notches often turn toward the stem), the edge curling or wavy ; 

 the midribs and netted veins often pucker the surface, which is shin- 

 ing ; the color is a clear full green. They are set on short stems, or 

 clasp the stalk, and are alternately ai'ranged. 



The flower has 4 shell-shaped petals, with very long and erect 

 bases, of a fine texture, and yellow color with a tinge of green ; the 

 calyx is 4-divided, its parts slender and wide-spreading, also yellow but 

 with a marked tendency to green. The flowers form close leafy 

 terminal clusters. 



As the petals fall early and only two or three flowers are open at 

 once, the seed-pods, green and shining, form a distinctive feature of the 

 plant ; when they ripen, and in their turn drop, their little foot-stems 

 are left bristling along the elongating branch. The leaf suggests 

 Gothic ornament with its quaint curves and lines. 



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