Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., H. Kratsch, Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – African mustard, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Stem

  • Up to 3 ft. tall and branched; upper stem lacks hair (glabrous); lower stem covered with stiff, downward-pointing hairs.
African Mustard
Closeup of the central stem

Leaves

  • Rosette leaves up to 12 in. long and pinnate-divided with 6-14 pairs of leaflets; edges (margins) are toothed.
  • Stems have very few leaves; typically small and oval to strap-like (linear) with toothed to lobed edges.
African Mustard
First leave of a sprouting plant

Flower

  • Small (less than 0.6 in. wide) and yellow with four petals.
  • Seed pods are round, slender and 1.5-2.5 in. long; the end tapers to a point; contain numerous round seeds; pod constricts around seeds (appears beaded).
African Mustard leaves
Closeup of the inflorescences

Root

  • Deep, slender taproot
 

Other

  • Grows best in sites with dry, sandy soils and sparse vegetation; often infests roadsides, waste areas, washes and desert areas; known to occur in Clark, Lincoln and Nye counties.
  • Annual; reproduces by seed
  • Also known as Sahara mustard
African Mustard
Adult plant

Control

  • Repeated hand-removal can be effective; disturbances such as fire, tillage and grazing often promote mustard growth.
  • Apply 2,4-D, glyphosate or triclopyr post-emergence; chlorsulfuron or imazapic pre- or post emergence.

Learn more about the author(s)

Heidi Kratsch
Heidi Kratsch
 

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