This introduced biennial plant is 1-3' tall. During the 1st year it consists of a small rosette of leaves, while during the 2nd year it becomes a little-branched plant about 1-3' tall. The leaves of 1st year plants are up to 2" long and across. They are cordate-orbicular with margins that are dentate or wavy and their upper surface has a reticulated network of veins. The petioles of these basal leaves are rather long and slender. The alternate leaves of 2nd year plants have a similar appearance, except that they are usually longer than wide, spanning up to 3" long and 2" across. The lower and middle leaves along the stems are usually cordate with blunt tips, while the upper leaves are often ovate. Both stems and the petioles of 2nd year plants are occasionally hairy, otherwise they are glabrous like the blades of the leaves. The foliage is often light green or yellowish green in appearance. The upper stems terminate in narrow racemes of white flowers. While in bloom, these flowers are bunched together toward the top of the raceme. However, as the flowers mature and develop seedpods, the raceme becomes more elongated and they become more separated. Each flower is up to 1/3" across and consists of 4 white petals, 4 light green sepals, a short cylindrical stigma, and several stamens with pale yellow anthers. The pedicel of each flower is ¼" long or less. The blooming period occurs during late spring or early summer and lasts about 1-2 months. The flowers are replaced by elongated seedpods that are called "siliques." These seedpods are about 1½–2" long and narrowly cylindrical (although somewhat 4-angled in circumference). Relative to erect stalk of the raceme, they are spreading and ascending. Each seedpod contains a single row of black oblong seeds. The root system consists of a shallow taproot that is white and branches frequently. This plant often forms colonies by reseeding itself.