Sisymbrium loeselii
Rocket
(c) Юрий Данилевский (Yuriy Danilevsky), some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Юрий Данилевский (Yuriy Danilevsky) · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Sisymbrium loeselii (Rocket) is a non-native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by Great Basin habitat, reflexed hairs, and fruits not overtopping flowers.
Rocket is a naturalized perennial found in the Great Basin in disturbed areas, fields, and pastures at elevations of 1,000 to 2,400 meters. Flowering from May to November, this plant produces pale yellow to white flowers 6 to 8 millimeters long with petals 2 to 3 millimeters wide. Growing with branched stems 35 to 120 centimeters tall, the plant has densely hairy lower stems that become smoother towards the top. Its leaves have 2 to 4 pairs of lateral lobes, with basal and lower cauline leaves measuring 2.5 to 8 centimeters long and ranging from entire to slightly dentate. The fruit is a slender linear pod 2 to 3.5 centimeters long, producing 40 to 60 small oblong seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by Great Basin habitat, reflexed hairs, and fruits not overtopping flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas, fields, pastures
Elevation: 1000-2400 m
Outside California: to northern United States, Canada, native to Europe
Bloom period
Sisymbrium loeselii blooms May-Nov.
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 loeselii native to California?
No. Sisymbrium loeselii is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Sisymbrium loeselii bloom?
Sisymbrium loeselii blooms May-Nov.
What plant family does Sisymbrium loeselii belong to?
Sisymbrium loeselii is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Sisymbrium.
What habitat does Sisymbrium loeselii grow in?
Sisymbrium loeselii grows in Disturbed areas, fields, pastures.
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.