Family:
Asteraceae
Toxic Parts:
seeds
Toxins:
nitrates, glucosinolates
Flower Color:
  • flower color
Found:
meadows, haybales

Time of Greatest Risk

JFMAMJJASOND

Geographical Distribution

Wormseed mustard distribution - United States

Related Species

Wormseed Mustard

Erysimum cheiranthoides

Mexican Tea, Worm Seed, Worm Grass, Goosefoot, Tu Jing Jie, Simen Contra, Paico, Dungarachirombo, Rato Latte
4/ 10
Wormseed mustard (Erysimum cheiranthoides) is an annual herb that grows to about 1 m in height. It has multi-branched, reddish stems covered with small, sharply toothed leaves. It bears numerous small yellow flowers in clusters along its stems. Following the flowers, it produces thousands of tiny black seeds in small fruit clusters. E. cheiranthoides is easily spread and regrown from the numerous seeds it produces which is why some consider it an invasive weed. The whole plant gives off a strong and distinctive odor.

Toxic components
During certain environmental conditions, E. cheiranthoides is able to accumulate high quantities of nitrates. High levels of nitrates can be toxic to horses, and some horses are more susceptible than others.