Key to Tasmanian Dicots

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1. *Brassica nigra, showing the typical Brassicaceae flower
2. *B. nigra,showing the typical Brassicaceae inflorescence
3. Lepidium pseudotasmanicum
4. L. pseudotasmanicum, with minute flowers without petals
5. Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum

* introduced species

BRASSICACEAE (=Cruciferae) 1:30

The Brassicaceae is a large family of herbs that is represented in Tasmania by about 21 native species and about 47 introduced species. Species occur in almost all open habitats. The leaves are alternate or in a basal rosette. The flowers are relatively distinctive. They occur in terminal racemes and each has four free petals that are often spreading in a cross-shape (hence the family's old name) and usually six stamens. The fruit is dry, usually a specialised capsule called a siliqua. The variation in the form of the fruit is important in identifying genera.

Many of the Brassicaceae are difficult to identify, and the key may be ambiguous for some species.

Key to Genera

List of Genera