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Marsh yellowcress - Rorippa palustris L. (Bess)
Weed Identification in Nurseries and Landscapes > Marsh yellowcress
Life cycle: Taprooted annual or biennial. Occasionally, a weak perennial.

Leaves: Alternate, variably shaped leaves initially develop from a basal rosette. Leaves are deeply lobed with a large terminal lobe and three to seven other lobes. The upper stem leaves are smaller with lobed to toothed margins and, occasionally, winged petioles with earlobe-shaped bases.

Stems: Branched or unbranched stems arise from a basal rosette to flower, usually less than 2 feet in height.

Flowers and fruit: Small, light yellow flowers with four petals are found in terminal clusters. Fruit are small, globe- to short cylinder-shaped capsules with a slight upward curve. Each capsule contains numerous, tiny, yellowish brown seeds.

Reproduction: Seeds.
Marsh yellowcress plant
Marsh yellowcress plant.
Marsh yellowcress flower
Marsh yellowcress flower.
Marsh yellowcress rosette
Marsh yellowcress rosette.

Yellow fieldcress flower Yellow fieldcress leaf
Yellow fieldcress flower. Yellow fieldcress leaf.


Similar weeds: Yellow fieldcress [Rorippa sylvestris (L.) Bess.] Differs by having a perennial nature with prolific, aggressive creeping roots and more deeply lobed leaves. Flowers are more conspicuous and brightly colored. Capsules are smaller and usually do not contain seeds.
Yellow fieldcress rosette
Yellow fieldcress rosette.
The MSU IPM Program maintains this site as an access point to pest management information at MSU. The IPM Program is administered within the Department of Entomology, fueled by research from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, delivered to citizens through MSU Extension, and proud to be a part of Project GREEEN.
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Updated: 10/18/07