Annuals, biennials, or perennials; eglandular. Trichomes [simple or] absent. Cauline leaves sessile; blade base usually auriculate, sometimes amplexicaul, margins usually entire. Racemes ebracteate, elongated or not in fruit. Flowers actinomorphic; sepals erect or ascending [spreading], lateral pair not saccate basally; petals white, pink, or purple, claw present, often obscure; filaments unappendaged, not winged; pollen 3-colpate. Fruits silicles, dehiscent, unsegmented, angustiseptate; ovules 4-24 per ovary; style distinct; stigma entire. Seeds uniseriate; cotyledons accumbent.

Genera 3, species ca. 90 (2 genera, 4 species in the flora): North America, Mexico, South America (Patagonia), Europe, Asia, n Africa.

Lower Taxa

• Microthlaspi F. K. Meyer
• Noccaea Moench