IPMP3.0, Oregon State University, Copyright 2000

Biology and Management of Tumble Mustard

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Registered Herbicides

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Tumble Mustard

General Description:

  • 2 to 5 feet tall.
  • Simple stems below, much branched above having bushy appearance.
  • Leaves alternate and of 2 types; lower leaves are coarse and divided into broad lobes or leaflets.
  • Upper leaves are much reduced, finer with narrow lobes or segments.
  • Flowers are small, pale yellow, in racemes.
  • Fruit is a slender 2-valved capsule 2 to 4 inches long.
  • Seeds are small, numerous, yellow to brown, and oblong.

Life cycle:

  • Winter annual or annual.

Habitat/ Distribution/ Crops associated with:

  • European native.
  • Widely scattered throughout the U.S.
  • Common in small grain fields, rangelands, waste areas, and along roadsides.
  • Plant often breaks off at the soil level at maturity and scatters seed as it tumbles in the wind.

Herbicide Control Notes:

  • Early application of Goal, Karmex/Direx, or Sinbar provides effective control. Add Gramoxone to residual herbicides if rosette is well established.