Large Petiole Mustard
Brassica juncea strumata
Family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae
What it is like
Brassica juncea strumata is a ANNUAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.8
Where it is found
Not known in the wild.
A cultivar of garden origin.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 4
Leaves and leaf stems - raw or cooked. Flowers and young flowering stems - raw or cooked. Sweet and succulent. An edible semi-drying oil is obtained from the seed. The seed contains 25 - 30% oil. The seed is used as a mustard flavouring. It is the source of 'brown mustard', a prepared mustard that is milder than that produced from other species. Pungency of mustard develops when cold water is added to the ground-up seed - an enzyme (myrosin) acts on a glycoside (sinigrin) to produce a sulphur compound. The reaction takes 10 - 15 minutes. Mixing with hot water or vinegar, or adding salt, inhibits the enzyme and produces a mild bitter mustard. Black mustard comes from B. nigra and white mustard from Sinapis alba. The seed is also used whole in curries and pickles. They are often heated in oil to destroy their pungency and give them a nutty flavour. Sprouted seeds can be added to salads.
Oil: Oil
Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.
Medicine
Rating: 2
Reported to be anodyne, aperitif, diuretic, emetic, rubefacient, and stimulant, the plant is a folk remedy for arthritis, foot ache, lumbago, and rheumatism. The seed is used in the treatment of tumours in China. In Korea, the seeds are used in the treatment of abscesses, colds, lumbago, rheumatism, and stomach disorders. The root is used as a galactagogue in Africa. Ingestion may impart a body odour repellent to mosquitoes. Mustard oil is used in the treatment of skin eruptions and ulcers. Believed to be aperient and tonic, the volatile oil is used as a counterirritant and stimulant. In Java the plant is used as an antisyphilitic emmenagogue. Leaves applied to the forehead are said to relieve headache. The Chinese eat the leaves in soups for bladder, inflammation or haemorrhage.
Anodyne: Relieves pain, it is milder than an analgesic.
Aperient: A mild laxative.
Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
Emetic: Induces vomiting.
Galactogogue: Promotes the flow of milk in a nursing mother.
Rubefacient: A counter-irritant and external stimulant, it produces inflammation and redness of the skin.
Stimulant: Excites or quickens activity of the physiological processes. Faster acting than a tonic but differing from a narcotic in that it does not give a false sense of well-being.
Other
Rating:
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
Succeeds in full sun in most well-drained moisture-retentive fertile soils. Prefers a heavy soil and some shade. Dislikes very hot weather. Plants tolerate high rainfall and, although fairly deep rooted, are not very drought resistant. A form of B. juncea that has been selected in the Orient for its edible swollen stem, there are many named varieties. Plants are reasonably cold-tolerant. They prefer a fairly high stable temperature and are well adapted to short day length. Many are best grown in warmer climates than Britain but there are several cultivars that grow well in this country. Plants have a rooting depth of between 90 - 120 cm. A good bee plant.
Propagating it: Seed - sow in situ from August to October. Spring and early summer-sown crops tend to run quickly to seed, though they can be eaten whilst still small. It is best not to sow the seed in very hot weather. There are about 5,660 - 6,000 per 0.01 kg (1/3 oz).
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Annual
Hardiness: 6-9
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist