Thlaspi arvense, commonly known as field pennycress, is a foetid, hairless annual herb that is native to temperate regions of Eurasia and has become a common weed in North America. It typically grows up to 24 inches tall with upright branches. The leaves are arrow-shaped, narrow, and toothed, clasping the stem. From May to July, it produces racemes of small, white flowers that are followed by distinctive round, flat, winged seed pods containing small brown-black seeds.

Field pennycress is not typically cultivated for ornamental purposes due to its weedy nature and unpleasant odor when crushed. However, it has potential for use in phytoremediation to remove heavy metals from the soil and has been researched for biofuel production due to its high seed oil content. It thrives in disturbed soils, including agricultural fields, roadsides, and waste areas, preferring full sun to partial shade and tolerating a wide range of soil types. Gardeners should be cautious as it can become invasive outside its native range, spreading rapidly and competing with native plants.CC BY-SA 4.0