Looking for identity of flower, grows on shrub-like bush, four petals, yellow?

Question

I have this weird bush near my house that sprouts flowers. Currently, the flowers are yellow with four petals all connected to a main stem (twig). I live in Western Pennsylvania near some woods. Other plants like this are also yellow, but some are white.

Any idea of what this might be?

Thanks.

Answer 1

forsythia.

Answer 2

Hi Cbroam,

It sounds too like it could be a wild mustard plant.  The whiter petal version is usually referred to a wild radish.

See these links...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustard_pla...

http://floralore.com/flora/Brassicaceae/...

I hope this helps.

Hiking Tony

Answer 3

Could be Potentilla.  They bloom yellow and some white.  It's kind of early for them to be blooming in this part of the country though.  My neigbor has one, and her's is not blooming yet, here in Ohio.