The seedling of this species is misidentified in the 1991edition of Weeds of the West (that`s yellow starthistle) but correct in the 1992 edition. Also known as `Jim Hill mustard` for the railroad man which it followed throughout the west. The seed pods, which are up to 4 inches long but only about 2 mm wide, are a distinctive feature of this species. Second only to Russian thistle in its prevalence as a tumbleweed in most areas. When the plants bolt in the spring, the flowering stalks of the larger plants can be peeled and eaten, raw or cooked.