Seedling
Cotyledons oblong to spoon-shaped, hairless. First true leaves usually in a basal rosette, oval to oblong, up to 3-1/2 inches long, with stalks, smooth or wavy edges. Prominent, shiny veins on undersides. Turnip-like smell when crushed. Rosette leaves may wither and fall off when stem leaves develop.
Mature plant
Stems are erect, branched or without branches, up to 3 feet high at maturity, hairless.
Basal leaves in a rosette, upper leaves alternate. Leaves variable, with basal leaves larger, oval to oblong, stalked, and with a wavy edge. Upper leaves smaller, lanceolate, coarsely toothed, stalkless, with 2 ear-like lobes clasping the stem.
The strong turnip-like smell of stinkweed, when crushed, is a good identification feature. When grazed stinkweed can cause an off-taste in milk and meat.
Root structure description
Taproot.
Flowers
White, 4-petalled, 1/8 inch across, in round clusters at ends of branches. Winter annuals begin flowering in early spring. Annual plants begin flowering in June and continue until late fall. Seed pods are round to oval with a notch at the top, and flattened. Stems elongate as pods develop, so that pods are spread along the stems.
