The large and branching stalk is zigzag or curved in habit of growth, about 2 or 3 feet high, and ribbed; with occasional hairs; it is bright green in color.
The lower leaves are lyre-shaped and large, the middle lobe wide and curving to a long pointed tip, the side lobes being narrow; the upper leaves are irregularly cut; the margins are notched (the points of the notches often turn toward the stem), the edge curling or wavy; the midribs and netted veins often pucker the surface, which is shining; the color is a clear full green. They are set on short stems, or clasp the stalk, and are alternately arranged.
The flower has 4 shell-shaped petals, with very long and erect bases, of a fine texture, and yellow color with a tinge of green; the calyx is 4-divided, its parts slender and wide-spreading, also yellow but with a marked tendency to green. The flowers form close leafy terminal clusters.
As the petals fall early and only two or three flowers are open at once, the seed-pods, green and shining, form a distinctive feature of the plant; when they ripen, and in their turn drop, their little foot-stems are left bristling along the elongating branch. The leaf suggests Gothic ornament with its quaint curves and lines.
CHARLOCK: Brassica Sinapistrum.
| Wild Kale. | Brassica nigra. |
| Black Mustard. |
Found in fallow fields in August.
The stalk, about 3 feet in height, branches near the top, and is leafy; it is round, but flattened just beneath a joint, smooth, save for an occasional weak bristle-like hair, and of a shining light green color, becoming darker and tinged with purplish-red at the joints.
The lower leaves are deeply cleft into 5 or more lobes, the middle lobe being largest, with irregularly notched margins; the upper leaves are a narrow oblong shape, but slightly toothed; all the leaves are loose-textured, hairy underneath, and green, the lower ones having a yellow tint. They are set on stems, alternately, and at the spring of the branches.