title: Sisymbrium altissimum
text: # Sisymbrium altissimum
  
  Sisymbrium altissimum is a species of Sisymbrium. The plant is native to the western part of the Mediterranean Basin and is widely naturalized throughout most of the world, including all of North America. After maturity it forms a tumbleweed. Common names of the plant include Jim Hill mustard, tall tumblemustard, tall mustard, tumble mustard, tumbleweed mustard, tall sisymbrium, and tall hedge mustard.
  
  ## Description
  
  Tumble mustard forms an upright but delicate-looking plant, with slender, much-branched stems, growing up to 1.5 metres (5 feet) in height. Its stem leaves are divided into thin, linear lobes, while the basal leaves are broader and pinnately compound. The flowers are inconspicuous and only 6.4 millimetres (1⁄4 inch) wide. They have four usually yellow petals and four narrow, curved sepals. The seedpods are slender and long (5–10 centimetres or 2–4 in). The plant germinates in winter or early spring, with a lengthy blooming period. At maturity it dies, uproots, and tumbles in the wind, spreading its seeds.
  
  * Branches and flowers
  * Closeup of tiny flower
  
  ## Taxonomy
  
  The common name 'Jim Hill mustard' is after James J. Hill, a Canadian-American railroad magnate, due to a farmers' tall tale about the seeds having been spread via his railroads.
  
  ## Distribution and habitat
  
  The plant is native to the western part of the Mediterranean Basin in Europe and Northern Africa and is widely naturalized throughout most of the world, including all of North America. It was probably introduced into North America as a seed contaminant of crops.
  
  ## Ecology
  
  The plant grows in soils of all textures, even sand.
  
  ## Uses
  
  The leaves are spicy enough to make wasabi but can also be mixed into salads and other dishes.
  
  