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Purple and Blue Wildflower Gallery

Mustard Family

Mustard plants typically have four petals, four sepals, and six stamens. Petals can be yellow, white, pink, or purple. The family is divided into two groups: those with fruit pods that are more than three times as long as broad (called a silique), and those that are less than three times as long as broad (called a silicula). Pods can come in many shapes and sizes but all have two halves with a partition in the center. Leaves come in a variety of shapes but are typically clasping and become simpler and smaller up the stem. Some mustards are native, some introduced.

Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) - Mustard family

Dame's Rocket (Wild Lilac) Hesperis matronalis

Flowers can be purple, pink, or white about 1/2" wide in loose clusters. Stalks 2-3 feet tall with leaves decreasing in size. Flower clusters grow on in the second year. Considered a weed in some locations because of prolific seed production. Will grow in shade or open areas.

Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, April 2005

(Introduced from Eurasia - transplanted from South Dakota)

see similar   Prairie Verbena

Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) - Mustard family

Hesper Mustard (Mountain Mustard) Sisymbrium linearifolium

This species has very pale blue to lavender flowers, 1/2"-1 1/2" wide. Petals form an "X". Leaves are long, narrow, and deeply cut. Plant is tall and slender. Found at and above 4000 feet.

Photos taken by Mike Carrington in the Davis Mountains of Jeff Davis County, Texas, April 2005

(Native of Texas)

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