What is one of the key features of hoary cress that contributes to its invasiveness?

Hoary cress, known scientifically as Lepidium draba, is particularly invasive due to its perennial growth habit. This characteristic allows the plant to survive and thrive across multiple growing seasons, enabling it to establish a robust root system and outcompete native vegetation. Its ability to come back year after year means that once it takes root in an area, it can continue to spread and regenerate, making it challenging to control or eradicate.

In addition to its perennial nature, hoary cress can reproduce vegetatively through rhizomes, which allows it to spread horizontally in the soil. While other factors, such as its rapid seed production and adaptation to various environments, contribute to its invasiveness, the perennial growth habit is central to its success as an invader. This characteristic permits hoary cress to maintain its presence and dominance in disturbed and non-disturbed areas alike, ensuring its persistence and spread in agricultural and natural ecosystems.