Plant Name
Scientific Name: Sisymbrium irio
Synonym: Norta irio
Common Names: London Rocket, Londonrocket, Rocket Mustard, Rocketmustard
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Annual
Growth Habit: Herb/Forb
Arizona Native Status: Introduced. This naturalized weed is native to Europe.
Habitat: Desert, Upland, Riparian. It is most common in riparian areas, fields, drainage ditches, and in vacant lots.
Flower Color: Yellow
Flowering Season: Winter, Spring
Height: To 3 feet (91 cm) tall
Description: The flowers are 1/4 inch (6 mm) wide and have 4 tiny, oblong petals. The older flower clusters are surrounded by a ring of long, slender seedpods that flare outward and resemble exploding fireworks. The leaves are green, mainly basal, larger near the base of the plant, triangular in shape, and pinnately lobed.
Special Characteristics
Edible – The flowers, young leaves, and seeds are all edible, but they are hot and pungent and so should be used sparingly.
Classification
Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass: Dilleniidae
Order: Capparales
Family: Brassicaceae – Mustard family
Genus: Sisymbrium L. – hedgemustard
Species: Sisymbrium irio L. – London rocket
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