Tennessee Gladecress

L. exigua var. laciniata is an annual member of the mustard family (Brassicaceae) known only from two counties in Kentucky. Plants are about 5 to 10 cm (1.97 to 3.94 in) in height with early leaves that are simple with a slender petiole (central stalk of the leaf) and mature leaves that are sharply lobed (appear as disconnected pieces along the main leaf vein), somewhat squarish at the ends and arranged as a rosette (circular cluster of leaves) (Evans and Hannan 1990). The flowers are small (3 to 6 mm (0.12 to 0.24 in)), white to lilac in color with four petals, green rather than lavender sepals (the outer of two floral leaves that make up the flower), and leafless stems. Leaves typically disappear by the time the plant is in fruit (Evans and Hannan 1990). The fruit is flat and pod-shaped.