Dear Readers, the cabbage family (Brassicaceae) has some of the commonest ‘weeds’ in the UK, and yet it is very tricky as far as identification goes. So, this week, I am going to make the quiz a multiple choice, and I’m going to try to avoid including too many easily-confused tiny plants with white or yellow flowers. There are some real beauties to be found among the little chaps – some ‘Kings’ if you’ll forgive me :-).

So, here we go. All  you need to do is to match the photo to the species name – so, if you think the plant in Photo 1 is Oilseed Rape, your answer is 1) A).

All answers in the comments by 5 p.m. UK time next Thursday (13th May) please. I’ll post the answers on Friday 14th May. As soon as I see your reply in the comments I shall hide it away so it can’t influence the easily-swayed (like me) but write your answers down first if you don’t want to be affected by the brilliance of others 🙂

Onwards!

Species Names

A) Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus)

B) Danish Scurvygrass (Cochlearia danica)

C) Thale Cress (Arabidopsis thaliana)

D) Cuckooflower/Lady’s Smock (Cardamine pratensis)

E) Watercress (Nasturtium officinale)

F) Sea Kale (Crambe maritima)

G) Honesty (Lunaria annua)

H) Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)

I) Wallflower (Erysimum cheiri)

J) Charlock (Sinapsis arvensis)

K) Hairy Bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta)

L) Dame’s Violet (Hesperis matronalis)

M) Horseradish (Amoracia rusticana)

N) Hoary Cress (Lepidium draba)

O) Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)