HEDGE MUSTARD

Hedge mustard, Sisymbrium officinale, (formerly Erysimum officinale) is a plant in the family Brassicaceae. It is distinct from the mustard plants which belong to the genus Brassica. S. officinale is similar to other Sisymbrium, but differs in its tall, erect stems with tiny flowers and fruits that are compacted parallel to the stem instead of hanging free. S.officinale grows to 80 cm high. The lower leaves are broad with two or three lateral lobes. The flowers are about 4 mm across and yellow. Hedge-mustard is food for the caterpillars of some Lepidoptera, such as the small white (Pieris rapae).

Competes strongly with cereals and winter annual broad-leaf crops such as chickpeas, canola, lupins, faba beans, field peas and is particularly problematic in pulse crops, with yield losses of up to 50% being reported (Holding et al. 2006) in western Victoria and South Australia. It is also a contaminant reducing value and marketability of seed and hay, and may cause blockages of machinery during harvest (Government of South Australia 2021). It is a host to Plasmodiophora brassicae (Clubroot), a persistent and devastating disease of cruciferous (Brassicaceae) crops (Donald 2006). It has the potential to become a major and widespread weed species, particularly on the heavier textured soils of northern New South Wales and Queensland (Dellow et al. 2006). It is considered a major emerging weed problem in Victoria, especially on the heavier textured soils of the Wimmera region (Dellow et al. 2006). In Australia, it has probably not reached the limit of its spread (Storrie 2006).

In South Australia Muskweed has been recorded as a localised weed in the Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula and Northern Lofty regions of South Australia. It continues to be a problem in parts of South Australia
In Victoria, it has been recorded in the Wimmera, Riverina, and Murray Mallee regions. It continues to be a problem in the Wimmera district of Victoria
It has most recently been recorded as a crop weed from the North Western Slopes of New South Wales.

Spray FireHawk Bioherbicide Concentrate: 50 mL/L of water. Respray if required