Flora of New Zealand Series

winter cress

Biennial, sometimes short-lived perennial. Stems branched above, (20)-40-60-(90) cm tall. Rosette lvs deeply lyrate-pinnatifid, sparsely hairy, especially on petiole and margins, or glabrous, (3)-7-25 × (1)-2-6 cm; terminal lobe ovate to oblong; lateral lobes in (4)-5-8 or more pairs, the distal pair usually > width of terminal lobe; margins entire, sinuate, toothed or lobed. Upper stem lvs deeply pinnatifid with deflexed lobes at base; terminal lobe narrow-oblong or cuneiform, usually 3-lobed or 3-fid; lateral lobes in (1)-2 pairs, linear. Racemes to 30 cm tall; pedicels erecto-patent at fruiting, c. 5 mm long. Sepals glabrous, 3-4 × 0.8-1.5 mm. Petals 6-8 × 2-3 mm. Silique erecto-patent, (30)-40-70 × 1.5-2.5 mm; style 1-1.5 mm long.

N.: Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Rotorua, Taranaki, Wairarapa, Wellington; S.: Nelson, Canterbury, Otago.

S., W. and C. Europe 1869

Probably common throughout on shingle river beds and banks, roadsides and waste land.

This sp. has also been referred to in N.Z. as B. praecox.