Thlaspi arvense

Thlaspi arvense, commonly known as field pennycress, is a flowering plant in the Brassicaceae family. This annual herb can grow up to 60 cm tall and features a slender stem adorned with small white flowers. Its leaves are arranged alternately and have toothed margins. Field pennycress is native to Europe but has spread to many parts of the world, including North America. It thrives in disturbed areas such as fields, roadsides, and waste sites. The plant has been utilized for various purposes. It serves as forage for livestock and helps in erosion control. Moreover, its high oil content makes it a potential biofuel crop. Field pennycress contains glucosinolates, compounds that show promise in controlling pests and diseases in crops. Additionally, it produces allelopathic chemicals that inhibit the growth of surrounding plants. Overall, Thlaspi arvense is a fascinating plant with numerous uses and potential applications in both agriculture and industry.

Characteristics

Plant Type

Herb

Life Cycle

Annual

Genus

Thlaspi

Family

Brassicaceae

Hardiness Zone

5-9

Mature Height

15 cm to 61 cm

Mature Spread

30 cm

Leaf Color

Green

Leaf Type

Deciduous

Flower Color

White

Flower Size

2.54 cm

Bloom Time

Mid spring, Late spring, Early summer

Planting Time

Autumn

Harvest Time

Early summer, Mid summer

Native Area

Turkey, Sweden, India, Austria, Slovakia, Montenegro, Pakistan, Slovenia, Croatia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Russia, Germany, Iceland, Estonia, Romania, Latvia, South Korea, Belgium, Moldova, Portugal, Nepal, Netherlands, France, Tajikistan, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Armenia, Poland, Greece, North Macedonia, Ukraine, Serbia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Norway, China, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, Japan, Mongolia, Finland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bhutan, Iran, Albania, Ireland, United Kingdom, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan

Tags (4)

Common Names (12)