SafePlants

Field Mustard (Brassica rapa)

Field mustard, scientifically known as Brassica rapa, is a versatile plant with many uses and a widespread distribution. It is also known by several other common names, adding to its intriguing nature.

Considerations for Pets

• Field mustard belongs to the Brassicaceae family, which contains glucosinolates. While the text states "Known Hazards, None known.", other sources indicate plants containing glucosinolates *can* be harmful.

Common Names and Synonyms

• Scientific Name: Brassica rapa
• Common Names: Field Mustard, Rape Mustard, Turnip, Toria, Yellow Sarson, Wild Mustard, Wild Kale, Bird Rape, Navew, Cale, Charlock
• Synonyms: B. campestris rapa, Brassica campestris
• Alternate Names: Rape, Rape Mustard, Wild Turnip, Birdsrape mustard, Wild Rutabaga, Turnip Rape

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Family: Brassicaceae (also known as Cruciferae), the cabbage or mustard family
• Kingdom: (Not specified in the text, but implied as plantae)
• Taxonomic Rank: Species
• Subordinate Taxa: Includes subspecies such as Brassica rapa subsp. oleifera and varieties such as Brassica rapa L. var. rapa and Brassica Rapa var. campestris.

Distribution and Habitat

• Field mustard "grows everywhere," including California and Minnesota.
• It is a winter annual herb found throughout California.
• The text indicates it can be found near vineyards, as some owners plant it as cover crop.

Ecological Role

• Field mustard can be considered a weed, "often a pest in grain fields."
• It can be used as a cover crop in vineyards.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Field mustard is an annual to biennial herbaceous plant, typically growing 8 to 36 inches tall, but can grow to 6 feet tall in some cases.
• Large plants are highly branched in the upper half.
• Stems are erect, glabrous (smooth) or nearly so, and commonly glaucous (covered with a whitish or bluish waxy coating).
• It has racemes of bright yellow flowers with four petals, each approximately 1/2 inch.
• Leaves have 3 to 5 lobes.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• It is noted that mustard has several of the same diseases and insect pests as flax, oilseed rape (canola), sweet clover, soybeans, field peas, lentils, and sunflowers.
• Field mustard can show mosaic in the leaves due to virus-like particles.
• Wine makers use field mustard as a cover crop.

Quirky Facts

• Field mustard is celebrated in the Shinshiro City Field Mustard Festival in early March.
• The plant's Latin name "Rape" is derived from the Latin word for turnip, highlighting its close relationship to this root vegetable.
• Some people imagine themselves as Alice in Wonderland when surrounded by vast fields of mustard flowers.

Further Information

• Encyclopedia of Life
• USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center
• CalPhotos
• NoritakeChina.com
• TripAdvisor