Brassica nigra
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- BRAS-sick-ah NI-grah
- Description
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Black Mustard is a winter annual in the Mustard family (Brassicaceae) native to Europe, Africa and Asia. It was introduced to the Pacific western states and has since become invasive there and in MI. The genus name is Latin for cabbage and the specific epithet is Latin for black referring to the black seeds.
This plant will grow 2-4 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide and prefers a Mediterranean-type climate. They do best planted in the fall when the weather cools in moist amended well-drained soil. It will not do well in hot weather.
The large leaves get smaller as they ascend the stem. In spring the plant will produce a cluster of yellow four-petaled flowers. Seed pods follow that split and contain black and dark brown seeds. It may cause contact dermatitis for some.
The leaves, seeds, flowers and stems of this plant are edible and have a pungent spicy flavor. The leaves can be cooked or eaten raw in salads. The stems can be prepared and eaten like broccoli. The seeds can be ground into a powder for flavoring or to make hot mustard.
Grow in the edible garden or in a container. Grown commercially for the production of various mustards.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Weedy. See pests of crucifers to the left.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Brassica
- Species:
- nigra
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe, China, Africa
- Wildlife Value:
- The plant is pollinated by bees and flies. Butterflies may eat the foliage. Wasps may occasionally visit this plant.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Edible fruit
- Edibility:
- The leaves, seed and stem as well as the plants oils are edible.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Siliqua
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- After the flower blooms, it is replaced by a narrow seedpod that will become pressed up against the stalk. The seedpod is about 2/3" long and becomes tapered. They dry and split when ripe. Seeds are black or dark brown
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Blooming on racemes up to 2' long, the 1/3" yellow flowers each have 4 petals. They can bloom for up to 2 months.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves can reach lengths of up to 10", and widths of 3-4". As they ascend up the stem, they will not be as large. The lower leaves are lobed and obovate, while the upper leaves can be lanceolate or elliptic. The upper surface of the lower leaf is typically bristly with scatter, stiff, short, white hairs. The underside is typically smooth, but will have a few hairs along the central vein.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- The stems are a dull gray/green, typically branchless. They are smooth, but may have scattered stiff hairs at the base.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Problems:
- Allelopathic
- Contact Dermatitis
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy