The genus Brachycarpaea is in the family Brassicaceae or Cruciferae families, also known as the crucifers, the mustard family or cabbage family, in the major group Angiosperms. The name Brassicaceae is derived from the included genus Brassica. Cruciferae is an older name, meaning “cross-bearing”, because the four petals of their flowers are reminiscent of a cross.

Brachycarpaea juncea or Wild stock as it is commonly known is a winter growing annual shrublet up to 1 meter in height. It has 1.5 to 5cm long leaves that are 1 to 7mm broad on slender wiry branches. During spring this flashy shrublet has mauve flowers.