Appearance
This plant grows to about 30–60 centimetres of height, with a maximum of 1 metre.The stem is ribbed and hairless, branched at the base. It has a basal rosettes of shiny, dark green leaves. The basal leaves are stalked and ''lyre-pinnatifid'', that is with a large terminal lobe and smaller lower lobes.
The cauline leaves are smaller, ovate, toothed or lobed. The flowers are borne in spring in dense terminal clusters above the foliage. They are 7–9 millimetres long, with four bright yellow petals.
The flowering period extends from about April through July. The fruit is a pod of about 15–30 millimetres.
Naming
The genus name ''Barbarea'' derives from Saint Barbara, the patron saint of artillerymen and miners, as this plant in the past was used to soothe the wounds caused by explosions.
Distribution
Native to Eurasia it is naturalised in many parts of North America as a weed.
Habitat
The plant prefers fresh or moist places, on roadsides, along rivers, or on the slopes and in ditches, at an altitude of 0–1,600 metres above sea level.References:
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