Would someone be able to help me identify this weed? I first noticed it in my garden and lawn about two years ago, when some "foreign" soil was introduced into the back yard. It is spreading and I have found it infesting more soil. When I go to pull it, it launches seeds as soon as the plant is touched. It is the perfect organism that sows its seed when its life is endangered. The roots are relatively shallow so it is easy to pull, especially if I catch it early. Small white flowers are found on young plants; leggy branches with the seed launchers on mature plants. Two pictures attached: young plant with flowers on the right, more mature ready to seed on the left.
possibly a type of Cress, soteimes called snapweed (one of the many things by this common name) as it shoots the seeds out of the pods when touched.
That's it! Thank you both, Dan Latin name: Cardamine hirsuta Family: Brassicaceae (or Cruciferae), Mustard family Common name: This weed has a tremendous variety of common names, most relating to the way seed propel from the silique (seed pods). The most used common name is bittercress, others include: pepperweed, shotweed, snapweed, ad infinitum. Snapweed is the name of choice in British Columbia. http://oregonstate.edu/dept/nursery-weeds/weedspeciespage/bittercress/bittercress_page.html
It has shown up faithfully in my garden, too. It has a use-- it is tasty in salads--is a relative of arugula, and you can tell if you try it. (The leafy bit.)
