​Tall Tumble Mustard, Jim Hill Mustard, Tumbleweed Mustard,Sisymbrium altissimum,Mustard Family (Brassicaceae)

Found in sandy, rocky, disturbed soil
Seen blooming in May at Abiquiu Lake

This annual weed grows over 3 feet tall in an open, airy pattern. It is distinguished by large, deeply lobed, toothed basal leaves and very narrow, delicate leaves on the upper part of the stem. Pale yellow flowers with the typical four petals of mustards are 1/2 inch across, and produce long, narrow seedpods. After fruiting, the plant becomes brittle and breaks off at the base becoming a tumbleweed. The young leaves and shoots of the plant are edible and can be used in salads, soups, and other dishes. The seeds are high in oil and protein and can be used to make a nutritious oil or flour. It has been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including respiratory infections, digestive problems, and skin conditions. Tall Tumble Mustard has other uses as well. The oil extracted from the seeds can be used for biodiesel, and the plant has been used for erosion control and as a cover crop to improve soil health. One interesting aspect of the plant is its ability to accumulate heavy metals from the soil. This property makes the plant useful for phytoremediation, which is the process of using plants to remove contaminants from soil or water. It has been shown to be effective at removing heavy metals such as cadmium and lead from contaminated soil, making it a potential tool for environmental cleanup. Source.
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