Lincoln Weed

Lincoln Weed (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) is an erect, perennial herb that grows up to 80 cm tall. It forms a long tap root that allows the plant to utilise water from deep underground. Rosette leaves are absent except in seedlings. The stem leaves are variable in shape and size, ranging from being deeply lobed to coarsely toothed or entire. The lowest leaves are the largest, up to 17 cm long, decreasing in size up the stem. The flowers consist of four, yellow to pale yellow petals and are 8-15 mm long. The fruits are long and narrow, 20-60 mm long and 1-2.5 mm wide. As the fruits mature, slight constrictions occur between each of the seeds along the length of the fruits. Each fruit contains numerous seeds which are small, 1-1.5 mm long, and are yellow-brown in colour when ripe.