The biology of Canadian weeds. 142. Camelina alyssum (Mill.) Thell.; C. microcarpa Andrz. ex DC.; C. sativa (L.) Crantz.

Abstract

This paper summarizes biological information on three cruciferous weed species: Camelina alyssum, C. microcarpa and C. sativa. Camelina sativa, which had been gathered or cultivated as an oil seed for many centuries in Europe, was the first to reach North America as a weed, towards the mid-19th century, gradually spreading across the prairies, mainly in crops, to British Columbia and the Northwest Territory. The most common of the three species in North America, C. microcarpa, arrived in the late 19th century, and subsequently appeared at numerous crop and uncultivated sites across the country, probably in cargo as the railways expanded. Camelina alyssum appeared in the early 20th century at restricted sites on the prairies, mostly in Saskatchewan. All three species have diminished in importance as crop weeds in western Canada over the past few decades. This reduction could be related to increased weed control by herbicides. Herbicide-resistant biotypes have recently been reported in C. microcarpa. Camelina sativa has attracted renewed interest as an oil crop, because of an adaptation to various climatic conditions, low nutrient requirements and resistance to disease and pests. In Europe, where it is now widely grown, it has shown considerable potential in the food, animal feed, nutraceutical, paint, dye, cosmetic and biofuel industries. In North America, it is being grown on a trial basis mainly for its potential as a biofuel in Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Maritime Provinces, and the northern United States of America.Key words: Flat-seeded false flax, small-seeded false flax, large-seeded false flax, caméline alysson, caméline à petits fruits, caméline cultivée, weed biology