Visual identification of small oilseeds and weed seed contaminants

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Descriptions and drawings for individual species - Weed Seeds

Neslia paniculata (L.) Desv.

Common Name: ball mustard

Family Name: Brassicaceae (syn. Cruciferae)

Remarks:

The seed unit of ball mustard most often found is actually a nutlet, which is a dry indehiscent fruit (illustrated) containing one seed. The actual seed without the shell may be found on occasion.

Shape:

Fruit:

• outline - broadly oval, heart-shaped
• oval in cross-section
• a ridge runs from the hilum to the apex where the two halves of the nutlet join together
• apex usually comes to a fine point with a tiny circle at the tip
• hilum is small, squarish-oval to circular in shape; hilum may be somewhat sunken with slightly flared edges

Seed:

• outline - oval
• radicle thick and forms a prominent ridge in the radicle groove
• radicle tip frequently extends beyond the hilum

Colour:

Fruit:

• buff, grey, grey-brown; surface may be tinged green orpurple

Seed:

• yellow to yellowish-brown
• there is a distinct, reddish-brown circular spot near the hilum

Seed Surface:

Fruit:

• prominently netted; interspaces are concave, broad and shallow
• ridges and interspaces covered with small wart-like protuberances
• overall appearance is coarsely granular

Seed:

• faintly wrinkled, almost smooth
• slightly shiny

Size:

• Fruit: length 2.2-2.5 mm, width 2.5-2.8 mm
• Seed: length 1.9-2.2 mm, width 1.0-1.3 mm

Reference Numbers:

• 2, 5, 6, 10

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