Tumble Mustard, Tall tumblemustard
Sisymbrium altissimum

Family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae

What it is like

Sisymbrium altissimum is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. 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): 1

Where it is found

Waste places on dry soils.

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

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Young leaves and shoots - raw or cooked. A somewhat hot flavour, they can be used as a flavouring in salads or cooked as a potherb. Seed - ground into a powder and used as a gruel or as a mustard-like flavouring in soups etc.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Condiment: the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The leaves and flowers are antiscorbutic and astringent.

Antiscorbutic: A plant rich in vitamin C that is used to counteract scurvy.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Other

Rating: 0

How it is grown

Succeeds in most soils.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual

Hardiness: 0-0

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

S. pannonicum. S. sinapistrum.