Description:
Competitive noxious perennial with aggressive creeping roots and persistent stems to 1 m tall. Patches spread primarily by creeping roots. Introduced from Europe.Rosette leaves +/- covered with short unicellular hairs. Margins of early leaves entire to irregularly toothed. Later rosette leaves oblong to oblanceolate, unequally toothed (serrate to dentate) but not lobed.Stems ascending to nearly erect, branched near the top. Leaves dull bluish-green, glabrous, narrowly oblong to oblanceolate, 3-10 cm long, entire to unequally toothed (dentate to serrate). Upper stem leaves narrow to a stalk-like base that clasps the stem.

Biology and Control: Austrian fieldcress is a persistent perennial in the mustard family. It is native to Russia and Eastern Europe, but was introduced to the United States in 1910. It was soon discovered in Modoc County, California along the Pit River. By 1935, the infestation covered over 25,000 acres. It has been found in Washington and Nevada, but neither Oregon nor Idaho has reported it. No other infestations have been reported in California.
Austrian fieldcress reproduces by seeds and asexually by creeping roots. However, seed production appears to be limited as few pods develop to maturity. The roots are extremely persistent and are likely the primary means of spread. New plants may be propagated from small root fragments. Additionally, stems readily form adventitious roots when lying in water and may produce new plants if detached. New plants primarily establish in disturbed areas and are favored by soils that remain wet six to eight months each year. These factors may suggest the potential for invasion along rivers when flooding occurs. When established, it competes vigorously and may threaten native species in riparian corridors.

For More Information:
Detailed information about Austrian Fieldcress is available at the California Department Food and Agriculture Web Site.