Neslia paniculata (L.) Desv.

Neslia species are annual herbs, pubescent with simple, forked or substellate, short stalked trichomes, not scapose. Rootstocks slender, taproot. Stem erect, ascending, usually simple at the base and branched above. Basal leaves simple, alternate, lanceolate to oblong, base cuneate, margin entire or dentate, apex acute, shortly petiolate, cauline leaves usually gradually smaller, base auriculate or sagittate, margin entire to denticulate, petiole sessile. Inflorescence raceme corymbs branching like panicles, densely several flowered, lax in fruit, considerably elongated in fruit, ebracteate. Flowers bisexual, yellow, pedicel erect, filiform, divaricate, slender, ascending, sepals 4, ovate-oblong, inner lateral pair base not saccate, pubescent outside, petals 4, obovate-spathulate, much longer than sepals, margins entire, claw not differentiated. Stamens 6, slightly tetradynamous, filaments not dilated near the base, anthers ovate-oblong, nectar glands 2 to 4, lateral each on either side of the stamen, median glands absent. Ovary superior, bicarpellary, ovules 2-4. Fruit silicles, nutlike, indehiscent, globose sublenticular single seeded, subsessile, woody, apex needle like umbonate, easily detached from pedicel when mature, replum rounded, valves with obscure margins, septum complete, style distinct, stigma capitate. Seeds plump, brown, ovate-ovoid, not winged, minutely reticulate, not mucilaginous when soaked, cotyledons incumbent.

Neslia species flowers are complete, bisexual, i.e., with functional male (androecium) and female (gynoecium), including stamens, carpels and ovary. Pollination is entomophilous i.e., by insects, or cleistogamy i.e., by self or allogamy i.e., by cross pollination. Flowering/Fruiting: May—August.

Seeds may be dispersed by autochory i.e., self dispersal, anemochory i.e., wind dispersal, zoochory i.e., dispersal by birds or animals, anthropochory i.e., dispersal by humans.

Annual herbs, pubescent with simple, forked or substellate, short stalked trichomes, about 20-75 cm tall, not scapose. Rootstocks slender, taproot. Stem erect, ascending, usually simple at the base and branched above, pubescent with simple trichomes near the base and forked above. Basal leaves simple, alternate, oblanceolate to oblong, about 2.5-8 x 0.5-2 cm across, base cuneate, margin entire or shallow dentate, apex acute, shortly petiolate, cauline leaves usually gradually smaller, linear lanceolate-oblong, about 2-7 x 0.3-1.5 cm across, base auriculate or sagittate, margin entire or sometimes denticulate, apex acute to acuminate, sparsely pubescent on both sides, petiole sessile.

Neslia species are susceptible to various insect pests, virus, mildews and moulds.

Plains, roadsides, cultivated fields and grassy places.

Not evaluated (IUCN).

Leaves are edible, grounded seeds used for seasoning.