Yellow Rocket
Weeds
winter cress, bitter cress, rocket cress, yellow-weed, herb barbarea, wound rocket, water mustard
Barbarea vulgaris
Yellow rocket is a rosette-forming winter annual that is usually associated with bare, disturbed soil or new establishments (prefers nutrient-rich, medium-textured soils). Yellow rocket leaves have a distinct lobe pattern that develops on mature leaves. The margins of the leaves are entire-to-wavy. Yellow rocket can be a winter annual, biennial or even a perennial in rare cases. The leaves are dark green and glossy. Unlike many annual weeds, yellow rocket can tolerate routine mowing. Flowers are most often formed in the spring on yellow 'broccoli-like' stalks. The heart-shaped terminal lobe distinguishes yellow rocket from shepherds purse and other members of the mustard family.