Sisymbrium austriacum Jacq. (SW- and C-Eur.) – A very variable species of which two subspecies occur in Belgium, one native and one non-native.
- Pedicels strongly contorted, often nearly semicircular at maturity. Siliqua 7-20 mm long. Petals 4-5 mm long === subsp. chrysanthum
- Pedicels nearly erect, not contorted. Siliqua 20-50 mm long. Petals 5-7 mm long === subsp. austriacum
Subsp. chrysanthum (Jord.) Rouy et Fouc. (syn.: S. chrysanthum Jord.) (Pyrenees, N-Iberian Peninsula) – A very rare but locally abundantly naturalised alien. First recorded in the valley of river Vesdre near Nessonvaux in 1858, probably as a wool alien. Soon becoming naturalised along rivers Meuse and Vesdre (already reported as being abundant near Hermalle-sous-Argenteau as early as 1873). Eventually spreading further north along river Meuse but long remaining ephemeral in Flanders (see van Rompaey & Delvosalle 1978, Verloove 2002). By now abundantly naturalised in the valleys of river Meuse/Maas (see Cortenraad & Janssen 1984) and Vesdre. Occasionally observed elsewhere in Belgium and sometimes very locally naturalised, for instance as an introduction with building materials near Beervelde.
Sisymbrium austriacum subsp. chrysanthum is usually found in rather damp, nitrophilous habitats, mainly gravelly riverbanks, riparian meadows, etc.
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Selected literature:
Cortenraad J. & Janssen J. (1984) De Maasraket. Natuurh. Maandbl. 73(9): 158-160.
Savelsbergh E. (1988) Sisymbrium austriacum Jacq., ein Massenvorkommen der Maasrauke bei Bemelen in Süd-Limburg. Natuurhist. Maandbl. 76: 16-17.
Van Rompaey E. & Delvosalle L. (1978) Atlas de la flore belge et luxembourgeoise. Ptéridophytes et Spermatophytes. Commentaires. Jardin Botanique National de Belgique, Meise: 116 p.
Verloove F. (2002) Ingeburgerde plantensoorten in Vlaanderen. Mededeling van het Instituut voor Natuurbehoud n° 20: 227 p.
Verloove F. (2006b) Sisymbrium austriacum. In: Van Landuyt W., Hoste I., Vanhecke L., Van den Bremt P., Vercruysse W. & De Beer D., Atlas van de flora van Vlaanderen en het Brussels gewest. Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek, Nationale Plantentuin van België en Flo.Wer: 835-836.