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Tall Tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)
Annual Forbs Around Las Vegas, Vegetation Around Las Vegas
Tall Tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)
Tall Tumblemustard in typical habitat: disturbed soil on edge of road

General: Tall Tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum) is an annual forb growing from a basal rosette, developing several flowering stalks, and producing pale yellow, 4-petaled flowers. The basal leaves are long and pinnately lobed or toothed, and the cauline leaves are finely dissected into linear and thread-like segments. The plant dies after it flowers, leaving open, upright stalks that are highly flammable.

Tall Tumblemustard is an uncommon component of disturbed desert vegetation communities. Around Las Vegas, look for this species in town and in disturbed roadsides and open fields. This is a fairly recent addition to our local flora.

Family: Mustard (Brassicaceae).

Other Names: tumblemustard, tumbleweed mustard, Jim Hill mustard, tall mustard, Norta altissima.

Plant Form: Basal leaves with several upright, leafy flower stalks. Plants begin as winter rosettes and develop flowering stems in the spring.

Tall Tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)
Upper leaves divided into long, linear segments

Height: To about 4 feet.

Stems: Several flowering stalks that originate near the base and branch towards the top. Stems sparsely hairy; without stiff hairs.

Leaves: Basal leaves long (to 35 cm) and pinnately lobed or toothed. Cauline leaves are finely dissected into thin segments.

Flowers: Blooms during spring and summer. Flowers clustered at the top of the stalks. Sepals 4- to 6-mm long, spreading, tip pointed. Claw (petal stalk) 3-6 mm. Petals 4, pale yellow, 6- to 8-mm long, 2-4 mm wide (fairly large among our weedy mustards).

Fruit: Long (5–10 cm), narrow pod (cylindrical), spreading from stem. Pedicels spreading, 6-10(13) mm, as thick as fruit.

Tall Tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)
Fairly large, pale yellow, 4-petaled flowers at top of stem

Seeds: Tiny (1-mm wide), oblong, 80-120 per fruit, one row per chamber, yellow-brown to orange.

Habitat: Roadsides, picnic areas, disturbed sites; spreading into undisturbed desert sites.

Elevation: To about 7,500 feet.

Distribution: Throughout the Americas. Native to Europe.

Comments: This species is similar to Black Mustard and Sahara Mustard, but the upper leaves are dissected into linear segments and the flowers are larger.

Tall Tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)
Typical habitat: disturbed soil on edge of road
Tall Tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)
Mixed mustard species in disturbed habitat
Tall Tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)
Base of plant showing basal and cauline leaves
Tall Tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)
Basal leaves are long and pinnately lobed or toothed
Tall Tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)
Basal leaves are long and pinnately lobed or toothed (dorsal surface)
Tall Tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)
Basal leaves are long and pinnately lobed or toothed (ventral surface)
Tall Tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)
Upper stems with finely dissected cauline leaves
Tall Tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)
Upper stems with flowers at stem tips
Tall Tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)
Cauline leaves are finely dissected into thin segments (ventral surface)
Tall Tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)
Cauline leaves are finely dissected into thin segments (dorsal surface)
Tall Tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)
Upper stems with linear leaves and flowers at stem tips
Tall Tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)
Flower buds
Tall Tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)
Flowers not tightly clumped at the tip.
Tall Tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)
Flower and flower buds
Tall Tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)
Pale yellow, 4-petaled flower
Tall Tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)
Sepals 4-6 mm long, spreading, tip pointed
Tall Tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)
Fresh flowers and developing seed pods
Tall Tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)
Developing seed pods spread away from stem
Tall Tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)
Developing seed pod
more to come
More to come ...

Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate. Names generally follow the USDA database.
copyright; Last updated 190510

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