Stem
- 0.5-2 ft. tall; branched near top; covered with short hairs
Leaves
- Alternate, 1-4 in. long, blue-green, oblong to lance-shaped and covered with short hairs; edges (margins) are toothed to smooth
- Lower leaves have short leaf stems (petioles); bases of upper leaves have lobes that clasp the stem
Flower
- White with 4 petals; occur in clusters that give plant a flat-topped appearance; occur from spring to early-summer
- Seed pods are oval to heart-shaped; each contain 2 seeds
Root
- Deep, spreading root system
Other
- Grows best in disturbed, alkaline soils; often found in pastures, fields, roadsides, rangelands, waste areas and along waterways; known to occur throughout Nevada
- Perennial; reproduces through roots and seeds
- Also known as whitetop; 3 species occur in Nevada: hoary cress (C. draba) is most common but lens-podded whitetop (C. chalapensis) and hairy whitetop (C. pubescens) also occur
Control
- Dig or pull individual plants for small infestations; remaining roots can produce new plants; frequent tillage or mowing for several years can reduce plant density
- Apply 2,4-D to actively growing plants prior to bud stage; chlorsulfuron or metsulfuron from bud to early bloom; imazapic from full bloom until necrosis
Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B.
2020,
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Hoary cress,
Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
