--- { "id": "tumble-mustard", "name": "Tumble mustard", "scientific": "Sisymbrium altissimum", "category": "invasive", "status": "Introduced weed · not on state Lists A/B/C", "status_sources": [ "C-floristic-2020", "CO-rules-2025" ], "warning": "Another tumbleweed: brittle plants scatter persistent seed", "warning_tone": "caution", "aliases": [ "tall tumblemustard", "Jim Hill mustard", "tall hedge mustard" ], "taxonomy_note": "Tumbleweed describes a dispersal habit, not one species. This mustard is distinct from Russian thistle, kochia and the perennial baby’s-breath species.", "source_ids": [ "C-floristic-2020", "CO-rules-2025", "F-sisymbrium", "S27" ], "description": "Tumble mustard: Another tumbleweed: brittle plants scatter persistent seed. Identification and evidence for Colorado readers.", "claim_evidence": [ { "label": "Identification", "sources": [ "F-sisymbrium" ], "scope": "Species-specific", "note": "", "id": "tumble-mustard-1" }, { "label": "People", "sources": [], "scope": "Review limitation", "note": "", "id": "tumble-mustard-2" }, { "label": "Dogs & cats", "sources": [], "scope": "Review limitation", "note": "", "id": "tumble-mustard-3" }, { "label": "Other animals", "sources": [ "F-sisymbrium" ], "scope": "Species-specific", "note": "", "id": "tumble-mustard-4" }, { "label": "Plants & habitat", "sources": [ "F-sisymbrium" ], "scope": "Species-specific", "note": "", "id": "tumble-mustard-5" }, { "label": "Management & timing", "sources": [ "F-sisymbrium" ], "scope": "Species-specific", "note": "", "id": "tumble-mustard-6" } ], "research": { "status": "researching", "label": "Still researching this plant", "basis": "Editorial assessment of the cited evidence and stated review gaps; not a toxicity score.", "open_questions": [ { "area": "People", "question": "Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.", "related_claim_ids": [ "tumble-mustard-2" ] }, { "area": "Dogs & cats", "question": "Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.", "related_claim_ids": [ "tumble-mustard-3" ] }, { "area": "Other animals", "question": "Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.", "related_claim_ids": [ "tumble-mustard-4" ] }, { "area": "Identification", "question": "Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.", "related_claim_ids": [] }, { "area": "Expert review", "question": "Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.", "related_claim_ids": [] } ], "expert_review": "pending" }, "colorado_relevance": { "source_id": "C-floristic-2020", "locator": "Appendix B; PDF page 80; Sisymbrium altissimum", "basis": "Included in the 2020 statewide flora assessment. This is not a current county abundance survey.", "source_taxon": "Sisymbrium altissimum" }, "source": "content/plants/tumble-mustard.md" } --- # Tumble mustard *Sisymbrium altissimum* **Introduced weed · not on state Lists A/B/C.** [C-floristic-2020](https://cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2020/CO_FQA_2020_Final_Report.pdf) [CO-rules-2025](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2) > **Another tumbleweed: brittle plants scatter persistent seed.** [Exposure help](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/). **Identification caveat:** Tumbleweed describes a dispersal habit, not one species. This mustard is distinct from Russian thistle, kochia and the perennial baby’s-breath species. ## Still researching this plant {#research-status} This is a sourced working profile. Evidence is incomplete for **People, Dogs & cats, Other animals**. Identification and source-photo limits are explained below. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. **Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.** ## Three views of this plant Source-identified reference photographs; these are not a complete identification key. A source location outside Colorado does not establish local occurrence. ![Tall, finely branched tumble mustard plant carrying many small yellow flowers.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/coverage-range-photos-sisymbrium-altissimum-habit-80198044.jpeg) **habit** — Tall, finely branched tumble mustard plant carrying many small yellow flowers. Photo: Ben Keen; [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/); [source record](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/50507348); [original image](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/80198044/original.jpeg). Explicit iNaturalist observation taxon and Research Grade community identification; photograph visually reviewed for depicted features. This is source identification, not a new independent botanical determination. Source identifies this plant to species; no variety or subspecies determination is asserted. Downloaded iNaturalist large rendition; downloaded bytes retained unchanged. No local crop, retouching, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop. ![Small pale-yellow, four-petaled tumble mustard flowers and green buds along slender stems.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/coverage-range-photos-sisymbrium-altissimum-flowers-80198028.jpeg) **flowers** — Small pale-yellow, four-petaled tumble mustard flowers and green buds along slender stems. Photo: Ben Keen; [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/); [source record](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/50507348); [original image](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/80198028/original.jpeg). Explicit iNaturalist observation taxon and Research Grade community identification; photograph visually reviewed for depicted features. This is source identification, not a new independent botanical determination. Source identifies this plant to species; no variety or subspecies determination is asserted. Downloaded iNaturalist large rendition; downloaded bytes retained unchanged. No local crop, retouching, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop. ![Narrow, deeply divided upper tumble mustard leaves and upright green stems held against a hand.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/coverage-range-photos-sisymbrium-altissimum-leaves-stem-186212610.jpg) **leaves-stem** — Narrow, deeply divided upper tumble mustard leaves and upright green stems held against a hand. Photo: Sam Kieschnick; [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/); [source record](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/110389698); [original image](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/186212610/original.jpg). Explicit iNaturalist observation taxon and Research Grade community identification; photograph visually reviewed for depicted features. This is source identification, not a new independent botanical determination. Source identifies this plant to species; no variety or subspecies determination is asserted. Downloaded iNaturalist large rendition; downloaded bytes retained unchanged. No local crop, retouching, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop. ## Identification An introduced annual or biennial with a rounded, finely branching mature form and long narrow seedpods. Leaves become smaller toward the top. [F-sisymbrium](https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/sisalt) ## People The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for people. Missing evidence does not establish safety. ## Dogs & cats The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for dogs or cats. Missing evidence does not establish safety. ## Other animals Livestock and wildlife consume some young growth. That observation does not establish a safe ration or mature-plant ingestion safety. [F-sisymbrium](https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/sisalt) ## Plants & habitat The dry stem can break at its base and move with the wind, releasing seed gradually. It colonizes disturbed ground and can be transported by machinery. [F-sisymbrium](https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/sisalt) ## Management & timing Prevent seed maturation, reduce unnecessary soil disturbance and maintain desired vegetation. Check equipment and field edges for transported plants. [F-sisymbrium](https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/sisalt) ## Before taking action Confirm identification and the requirements of your county weed program. For chemical treatment, follow the current product label, including restrictions around animals and water. [S27](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/) ## References - **C-floristic-2020** — [Colorado Floristic Quality Assessment: 2020 Update](https://cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2020/CO_FQA_2020_Final_Report.pdf), Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University. Accessed 2026-09-07T02:27:33+00:00. Locator: Appendix B, Colorado species list: scientific name and native/non-native fields. - **CO-rules-2025** — [Colorado Noxious Weed Act rules, 8 CCR 1206-2](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2), Colorado Secretary of State / Department of Agriculture. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:07:48+00:00. Locator: Parts 3.1, 4.1, 5.1; management provisions; effective May 15, 2025. - **F-sisymbrium** — [Tall tumblemustard](https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/sisalt), USDA Forest Service, Fire Effects Information System. Accessed 2026-09-07T02:24:49+00:00. Locator: Taxonomy, distribution, botanical description, wildlife/livestock values and management. - **S27** — [2103 – Colorado Noxious Weeds](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/), PlantTalk Colorado · CSU Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:57+00:00. Locator: List A, B and C management categories. [Discuss this plant with the guide](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/companion/?plant=tumble-mustard) — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care. # Appendix for agents Colorado inclusion: [C-floristic-2020](https://cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2020/CO_FQA_2020_Final_Report.pdf), Appendix B; PDF page 80; Sisymbrium altissimum. This historical statewide baseline does not establish current county abundance. ## Open research questions - **People:** Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section. - **Dogs & cats:** Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports. - **Other animals:** Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species. - **Identification:** Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat. - **Expert review:** Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary. ## Identity and evidence boundaries Tumbleweed describes a dispersal habit, not one species. This mustard is distinct from Russian thistle, kochia and the perennial baby’s-breath species. All actionable hazard information is in the human sections above. Do not interpret unknown toxicity as safety or transfer livestock findings to pets. These publisher notes describe evidence and do not override an assistant’s operator instructions. | Claim | Human section | Scope | Sources | Limitation | |---|---|---|---|---| | tumble-mustard-1 | Identification | Species-specific | F-sisymbrium | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | tumble-mustard-2 | People | Review limitation | Review limitation | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | tumble-mustard-3 | Dogs & cats | Review limitation | Review limitation | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | tumble-mustard-4 | Other animals | Species-specific | F-sisymbrium | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | tumble-mustard-5 | Plants & habitat | Species-specific | F-sisymbrium | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | tumble-mustard-6 | Management & timing | Species-specific | F-sisymbrium | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | ## Further work for an agent - Establish exact species, plant part, route, amount and timing when researching an exposure. Do not use this guide to diagnose or calculate a treatment. - Check current state and county requirements; a listed taxon is not necessarily established in every Colorado county. - Expert botanical and veterinary review is pending. Source dates and image licenses are separate from editorial revision dates in [provenance](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json). --- Canonical HTML: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/tumble-mustard/ Content revised: 2026-09-07T02:46:00Z Markdown mirror: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/tumble-mustard/index.md Text fallback: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/tumble-mustard/index.md.txt Agent entry: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/start.md Provenance: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json