Sisymbrium erysimoides
Mediterranean rocket
(c) Karim Haddad, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Karim Haddad · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Sisymbrium erysimoides (Mediterranean rocket) is a non-native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by tiny flowers and very short pedicels.
Mediterranean rocket is a naturalized perennial found in southern California coastal areas and western desert regions in disturbed areas and fields at elevations below 600 meters. Flowering from January to October, this plant produces yellow flowers occasionally with purple tones, small in size with petals 1.4 to 2 millimeters long. Growing 20 to 60 centimeters tall with simple or branched stems that are glabrous or sparsely hairy near the base, it develops an upright structure. Its lower leaves are broadly ovate to obovate, pinnately lobed with 2 to 4 pairs of lateral lobes that are dentate, creating a distinctive textured appearance. The plant produces linear fruits 2 to 4.5 centimeters long with approximately 30 to 46 seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; distinguished by tiny flowers and very short pedicels
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas, fields
Elevation: < 600 m
Outside California: native to Europe
Bloom period
Sisymbrium erysimoides blooms Jan-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Hirschfeldia: Sisymbrium pods are unsegmented; shortpod has segmented pods with beaded appearance.; vs Brassica: Sisymbrium pod valves have 3 veins; mustard pod valves have 1 vein.; vs Descurainia: Sisymbrium has undivided leaves on stem; tansy mustard has finely dissected feathery leaves.; vs Caulanthus: Sisymbrium petals are flat; jewelflower petals are crinkled or wavy.; vs Mutarda: Sisymbrium has 3-veined pod valves; check pod surface for vein count.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sisymbrium erysimoides native to California?
No. Sisymbrium erysimoides is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Sisymbrium erysimoides bloom?
Sisymbrium erysimoides blooms Jan-Oct.
What plant family does Sisymbrium erysimoides belong to?
Sisymbrium erysimoides is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Sisymbrium.
What habitat does Sisymbrium erysimoides grow in?
Sisymbrium erysimoides grows in Disturbed areas, fields.
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.