About Thelypodium laciniatum (Hook.) Endl.
Growth Form
Thelypodium laciniatum is a biennial herb that grows from a radish-like taproot. It produces many erect stems, which sometimes grow over one meter in height.
Stem Characteristics
The stems are hairless, solid, and often have a waxy texture.
Leaf Morphology
The thick green basal leaves have blades divided into multiple lance-shaped lobes or segments; leaves positioned higher on the plant are smaller and less divided.
Inflorescence Structure
The large inflorescence is a dense, spikelike raceme of mustard-like flowers, which each have four sepals and four petals.
Flower Characteristics
Both sepals and petals are whitish or pale lavender, and the flowers bloom in early summer.
Fruit Morphology
The fruit is a narrow, cylindrical silique that can reach 10 to 14 centimeters in length.
Fruiting Stage Appearance
When the plant is in fruit, the raceme is covered in these siliques, which either curve or extend straight outward like whiskers.
