Austrian Fieldcress
Rorippa austriaca
Washington State Classification
Class C — Widespread, County-Selected Control
Austrian fieldcress invades pastures and cultivated fields.
Quick Reference
Identification
Growth Habit
Austrian fieldcress is a perennial herb in the mustard family which grows from 20 to 40 inches tall.
Leaves
The leaves are alternately arranged on the stems and are simple (not compound). Lower leaves with petioles and large teeth or lobed (pinnatifid) margins and middle to upper stem leaves have toothed to smooth margins.
Flowers
The flowers are formed on racemes (elongate, unbranched cluster of flowers). They have four yellow petals and are 1/8 inch diameter.
Fruit & Seeds
It forms globular seed pods that contain small, reddish brown to black, rough seeds.
Impact
Austrian fieldcress invades pastures and cultivated fields. It competes with native plants and desirable forage. Austrian fieldcress was changed from a Class B to a Class C noxious weed in 2013.
Ecology & Spread
Habitat
Austrian fieldcress is found in waste areas, roadsides, cultivated fields and pastures. Please click here to see a county level distribution map of Austrian fieldcress in Washington.
Spread Mechanisms
Reproduction
Austrian fieldcress reproduces by seed, creeping roots and from rootstalks.
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Control Methods
Mechanical
- Small infestations can be controlled by repeated cultivation or hand digging. Large infestations can be killed by summer fallow.