Wormseed Mustard
Erysimum cheiranthoides
Family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae
What it is like
Erysimum cheiranthoides is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 1
Where it is found
Found in many habitats from southern British Columbia to California at elevations of 750 - 3600 metres.
N. America - Newfoundland to New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Missouri, west to the Pacific coast.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 1
A drink made from the crushed seed is used as a vermifuge. It is intensely bitter but has been used on children and expels the worms both by vomit and by excretion. A decoction of the root has been applied to skin eruptions.
Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.
Vermifuge: Expels and kills internal parasites.
Other
Rating: 0
How it is grown
Requires a well-drained soil and a sunny position. Dislikes acid soils. Tolerates poor soils.
Propagating it: Seed - sow in situ in the spring. Germination should take place within 3 weeks.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds; South Wall. In. West Wall. In.
Habit: Annual
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist