This member of the mustard family has flowers with four petals. Many seeds are produced in long, narrow fruits. The leaves are oblong, sharply toothed, and alternately arranged.
Leaves decrease in size as they ascend the stem.
The overwintering rosette is easily identified from fall through spring. Unlike dame's rocket, the phlox species have opposite leaves that are not toothed, and flowers with five petals, not four. Dame's rocket is native to Eurasia but was introduced to North America in the 1600's. This plant usually grows in moist and mesic woodlands, on woodland edges, along roadsides, and also in open areas. Dame's rocket is planted as an ornamental, but quickly escapes cultivation because of its prolific seed set.