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Cardiospermum halicacabum Cardiospermum halicacabum
Firmiana simplex Form
Sorghum bicolor Close-up of fruits (Greensboro, NC)-Mid Fall
Brassica nigra has some common insect problems:
Pests of Crucifers

Brassica nigra

Phonetic Spelling
BRAS-sick-ah NI-grah
Description

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:
Tags:
#edible plant#high maintenance#aggressive#edible seeds#edible leaves#allelopathic#edible stems#cool season vegetable#fly friendly#bee friendly#problem for children#problem for horses#contact dermatitis#self-fertile#weed#weedy
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#edible plant#high maintenance#aggressive#edible seeds#edible leaves#allelopathic#edible stems#cool season vegetable#fly friendly#bee friendly#problem for children#problem for horses#contact dermatitis#self-fertile#weed#weedy
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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