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field penny-cress

Thlaspi arvense

Field penny-cress is a small plant with round, flat seed pods. It grows in fields and gardens, and its pretty white flowers attract bees and butterflies.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The field penny-cress has small white four-petaled flowers clustered at the stem's top. Its most distinctive feature is the flat, circular, winged seed pods, resembling tiny green or reddish-brown coins. The leaves are toothed, clasping the stem, giving it a somewhat bushy appearance.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderBrassicalesFamilyBrassicaceaeGenusThlaspi
field penny-cress
flowering trait badgenitrogen_fixing trait badgebiennial trait badgeagricultural trait badge
field penny-cress

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Early settlers used its peppery leaves to spice up their food and salads!

Even though it looks wild, penny-cress is a cousin to your broccoli, kale, and cabbage!

Scientists are studying penny-cress seeds to make sustainable jet fuel and biodiesel for vehicles!

The plant got its 'penny-cress' name because its flat seed pods look like old silver pennies!

Special abilities

Ability

Cold Start

Its seeds can sprout and grow in chilly weather, giving it a head start over other plants in early spring.

Ability

Soil Cleaner

This plant can soak up heavy metals from the soil, acting like a natural cleaner for contaminated land.

Ability

Seed Hoarder

Field penny-cress can produce thousands of seeds that remain viable in the soil for many years.

Measurements & details

Height
10-60 cm
Spread
10-30 cm
Flower Size
0.2-0.4 cm
Bloom Season
Spring to fall
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Annual
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

eaten by

Diamondback Moth

Plutella xylostella

Larvae feed on its leaves.

pollinates

Buff-tailed Bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

Visits its flowers for nectar and pollen.

eaten by

House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

Feeds on its abundant seeds.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch plants without asking an adult first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is field penny-cress?

10-60 cm

How wide does field penny-cress spread?

10-30 cm

How big are the flowers on field penny-cress?

0.2-0.4 cm

When does field penny-cress bloom?

Spring to fall

Is field penny-cress edible?

Yes

Is field penny-cress toxic?

None

What is field penny-cress's lifecycle?

Annual

How is field penny-cress pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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