Flower sketches

Most common color of mustard family flowers is white or yellow; pink also occurs, and probably purple

[pistil
4 long stamens
2 short stamens
2 short stamens
pistil
4 long stamens
Top view]

Typical flower of mustard family. For purposes of illustration, Pistil is shown in black, Stamens in blue, petals in red.

1 pistil in center is surrounded by 6 stamens, of which 2 are usually shorter than the other 4.

There are 4 petals.

For typical arrangement of seed-pods in mustard family, see illustrations in Kirk, Wild Edible Plants of the Western United States.

Another identifying trait of mustard family is the mustardy or radishy smell of the crushed leaves.