Tall Tumblemustard

The Photo:

tall tumblemustard— Sisymbrium altissimum L. (Brassicaceae)

an invasive plant indicating deteriorating rangeland, although it’s good for bees and butterflies

found throughout North America [east of the Cascades]

The Thought:

The flower is tiny, lovely close-up, but it’s mostly stem and leaves, not something for show in the garden. 

Tall tumblemustard, when finished flowering, will break from the main stem and “tumble” away to spread its seeds. The seeds release slowly so the plant can reseed over many acres as it tumbles.

Native Americans did ground the mustard seeds into meal; the greens can be eaten in salads.

But I always think, “Is this really the tall tumblemustard, or is it that other poisonous plant? “ I’m not a forager and hope I never need to be one.

Poetry

Tall Tumblemustard

a tumble, tumble

spreading seeds across the land—

invading rangeland.

Sheri Edwards  

05.27.24   147.365.24

Poetry/Photography

The Story

https://sheri42.net/2024/05/27/tall-tumblemustard/

https://flic.kr/p/2pTJnAe

tall tumblemustard, Sisymbrium altissimum, is an invasive weed 

#smallpoems #clmooc  #poetry24 #poetry

#talltumblemustard #invasive 

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Reflect curiosity and wonder --Go boldly and scatter seeds of kindness...