Arabidopsis lyrata, diploid plants with a 2+ year lifespan, bear small white flowers with unique basal leaves (10–40 cm tall). Stem leaves are linear, curved, smooth-edged, and tapered at the base, employing glucosinolates and trichomes for defense against threats. Flowers, 3–8 mm, have four lobes and grow on 7–12 mm pedicels. Insect-pollinated, they bloom May to June, yielding 2–4.5 mm elongated, papery fruits with 1 mm seeds arranged in rows by early August.