Dame's Rocket or Dame's Violet, (Hesperis matronalis) Large, showy (3/4-1" wide)
    purple flowers (sometimes pink or white); stamens and style mostly concealed in the flower
    tube. Flowers fragrant. 2-3' high. Escaped from gardens to fields and roadsides. Spring
    and summer. Mustard family. Newcomb's Wildflower Guide, Lawrence Newcomb.

    As with many introduced varieties, its seed spread beyond garden borders and
    naturalized in surrounding woodlands and meadows. And, while I enjoy seeing its lovely
    pink/purple and white blossoms along roads in my region, it is considered invasive in most
    states.

    Dame’s rocket is a biennial, meaning it blooms in the second year. However, it is a self-
    sower. If it’s allowed to drop seed, you’ll soon enjoy a continuous yearly bloom, as with a
    perennial plant. The leaves and seeds of dame’s rocket are edible, used for medicinal
    purposes, and purported to be endowed with aphrodisiac properties.

    Another unique characteristic of this plant is that it bears blossoms and seed pods
    simultaneously. Its names are interesting as well. The Latin word hesperis refers to
    evening, the time when the flowers emit a fragrance that’s a cross between cloves and
    violets. And matronalis comes from the Roman Matronalia, a celebration of Juno, the
    goddess of motherhood and childbirth.

    As for its common name, “dame” is no surprise, given its feminine origins. But, where does
    the rocket come from? It’s probably derived from the plant’s edible leaves. You see, in
    Europe, its cousin arugula is called “rocket.GardenersPath.com

    Hesperis matronalis is an herbaceous plant species in the family Brassicaceae. It has
    numerous common names, including dame's rocket, damask-violet, dame's-violet,[1]
    dames-wort, dame's gilliflower, night-scented gilliflower, queen's gilliflower, rogue's
    gilliflower, summer lilac, sweet rocket, mother-of-the-evening, and winter gilliflower.

    These plants are biennials or short-lived perennials, native to Eurasia and cultivated in
    many other areas of the world for their attractive, spring-blooming flowers. In some of
    those areas, it has escaped from cultivation and become a weed species. The genus
    name Hesperis was probably given because the scent of the flowers becomes more
    conspicuous towards evening.

    It is considered an invasive species in some areas. Four U.S. states have placed legal
    restrictions on it:

    In Colorado, it is classed as a noxious weed (B-list), with plans for eradication or
    management varying by area and year.

    In Connecticut, it is classified as invasive and banned, making it illegal to move, sell,
    purchase, transplant, cultivate, or distribute the plant.

    In Massachusetts, it is prohibited.

    In Wisconsin, it is classed as restricted, i.e. an invasive species that is already widely
    established in the state, and causes, or has the potential to cause significant
    environmental or economic harm. Wikipedia.org

    Description:   An   erect,   herbaceous   biennial   or   perennial in the mustard family
    (Brassocaceae) growing 1.5 to 3 feet in height. The leaves are oblong, sharply toothed,  
    and  alternately  arranged.  Leaves  decrease  in  size  as  they  ascend  the  stem.  The  
    pink,  magenta,  or  white  flowers  have  large  loose,  fragrant  clusters  with  four  petals  
    that  bloom  May  to  June.  Many  seeds  are  produced in long, narrow fruits. The seeds
    of Dane’s rocket are spread mechanically when the dehiscent fruits open. The seeds are
    also eaten and dispersed by ground-foraging birds.

    Habitat: It grows in moist woodlands, woodland edges, roadsides, railroad right-of-ways,
    disturbed sites, waste ground, thickets, and open areas.    

    Distribution: It is reported invasive  in  CO,  CT,  IN,  MD,  MI,  NJ,  PA,  TN,  VA, WI, and
    WV. Invasive.org

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    Dame's rocket. Photos from the G&U Railroad right-of-way
    in Milford, between Vernon Street and South Cedar Street.
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