Hairy bittercress is primarily a summer annual but occasionally a winter annual weed. Flowers occur in clusters and are usually small (2 to 3 mm) with 4 white petals. Distinct characteristics of hairy bittercress are the siliques that can explosively spread the seed up to 10 feet from the parent plant. Stems are erect, branched at the base, and can reach 12 inches in height. Leaves consist of 2 to 4 pairs of round leaflets that are arranged alternately along the central leaf stem. Upper leaves are smaller and have more hair than lower basal leaves.
