Gold Of Pleasure
Camelina sativa

Family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae

What it is like

Camelina sativa is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen in August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 0.6

Where it is found

A weed of corn and flax fields in Britain.

E. Europe to W. Asia. Occasionally naturalized in Britain.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

An edible oil is obtained from the seed.

Oil: Oil

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 2

An oil from the seed is used as a luminant and as an emollient for softening the skin. A fibre is obtained from the stems. The stems are used for making brooms.

Broom: Used for sweeping the floor etc.

Fibre: Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

How it is grown

An easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils and preferring a sunny position. It does well on poor land. Plants can self-sow when well-sited. 'Gold of Pleasure' is occasionally cultivated for the oil in its seed. This species is a bad companion plant, depressing the growth of nearby plants. It has become a noxious weed of cultivated fields in some of the areas into which it has been introduced.

Propagating it: Seed - sow mid spring in situ.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual

Hardiness: 6-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Myagrum sativum.