Not an instantly attractive wildflower but one which, when examined through a hand-lens, makes one appreciate the often overlooked delicacy and beauty of the flowers of the Cabbage family. Standing stiffly to 60cm high, it's a rough, hairy biennial or perennial usually found in sandy, coastal habitats. From May to July its yellow flowers (20mm across) are held in terminal heads, the lower buds opening first and leaving behind them pods which have up to five beaded segments and which are not easily broken. The lower leaves are pinnate, the upper being narrow and entire. This is a native plant and it belongs to the family Brassicaceae.
I first recorded this plant at Bishop's Quarter, Co Clare in 2005 and photographed it at Cullenstown, Co Wexford in 2007.
If you are satisfied you have correctly identified this plant, please submit your sighting to the National Biodiversity Data Centre
