Rorippa austriaca
Austrian field-cress
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Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Rorippa austriaca (Austrian field-cress) is a non-native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by in MP; distinguished by size, rhizomes, and rare fruit production.
Austrian field-cress is a naturalized perennial herb found in the Modoc Plateau in disturbed areas, mud flats, river banks, and wet grasslands at elevations of 1,000 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces small white flowers about 3 to 5 millimeters long with obovate petals. Growing with stems 4 to 11 decimeters tall, it develops many branches toward the upper portion and can be glabrous or slightly hairy near the base. Its leaves are pinnately lobed, with middle to upper stem leaves ranging 4 to 12 centimeters long, lanceolate in shape, and either entire or slightly serrate with bases that clasp the stem. The plant spreads via short, thickened rhizomes and rarely produces fruit, which when present are small, nearly spherical silicles about 2.5 to 3 millimeters wide.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species in MP; distinguished by size, rhizomes, and rare fruit production
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas, mud flats, river banks, wet grassland
Elevation: 1000-1900 m
Outside California: to Canada, north-central and eastern United States, native to Europe
Bloom period
Rorippa austriaca blooms May-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Barbarea: Rorippa stems stay round and smooth; Barbarea stems develop distinct ridges or angles you can feel.; vs Sisymbrium: Rorippa has a simple rounded stigma tip; Sisymbrium's stigma is clearly two-lobed.; vs Nasturtium: Rorippa pods are short and plump; Nasturtium pods are elongated and curved like tiny bananas.; vs Hirschfeldia: Rorippa grows in wet areas with rounded pods; Hirschfeldia prefers dry disturbed sites with beaked pods.; vs Cystopteris: Rorippa has yellow four-petaled flowers and seed pods; Cystopteris is a fern with no flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rorippa austriaca native to California?
No. Rorippa austriaca is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Rorippa austriaca bloom?
Rorippa austriaca blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Rorippa austriaca belong to?
Rorippa austriaca is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Rorippa.
What habitat does Rorippa austriaca grow in?
Rorippa austriaca grows in Disturbed areas, mud flats, river banks, wet grassland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.