Dames Rocket

Dames rocket plant.
Dames rocket flower.
Dames rocket plant next to fence.

Dames Rocket

Hesperis matronalis

Colorado List B - Eradication required in Jefferson County

Information Sheet (pdf)


General

  • Family: Mustard (Brassicaceae)
  • Has been used as an ornamental but no longer available for sale in Colorado
  • Introduced from Eurasia


Habitat

  • Biennial or short lived perennial forb
  • Found in forests, roadsides, stream banks, pasture and rangelands


Plant


Vegetation

  • Lance-shaped, slightly hairy, toothed edges, alternate
  • Leaves 2 to 4 inches long
  • Mature plants up to 3 to 4 feet tall


Roots

  • Fibrous, shallow


Flower

  • About ¾ inch wide
  • Grouped at the end of vertical stems
  • May to August
  • White to purple with four petals


Seed

  • 1 ½ inches long
  • Seedpods very narrow


Reproduction

  • Seed


Control


Biological

  • None


Chemical


Cultural

  • Fertilization to promote grass cover
  • Prevention
  • Removal - bag and dispose of flower and seedheads
  • Re-vegetation of highly disturbed sites


Mechanical

  • Burning - N/A
  • Grazing - N/A
  • Mowing- N/A


Use all chemicals according to the manufacturer's label. No specific recommendation or endorsement is made or implied by listing methods or products.

Treatment Timeline


JanFebMarAprMayJuneJulyAugSeptOctNovDec
Control











Removal


Remove rosettes.  Bag flower and seed stalks.


Herbicide











Growth











Vegetative











Flowering











Seed