Black mustard
Brassica nigra

Family: Brassicaceae

What it is like

A cabbage family herb. It is an annual plant. It grows about 1-3 m high. The leaves are stalked and clasp the stem. The upper leaves are sword shaped. Leaves are 10-20 cm long. Flowers are yellow. The fruit is a pod. It is erect, smooth and 2 cm long. It can have 3-5 seeds. The seeds are reddish-brown to almost black. They are 1.5 mm across.

There are about 30 Brassica species and many cultivated varieties. A recent publication revised the name to Rhamphospermum nigrum (L.) Al-Shehbaz.

Where it is found

It is a temperate and Mediterranean climate plant. In China it grows on slopes, steppe, field margins between 900–2800 m altitude. In Nepal it grows to 2000 m altitude. In Ethiopia it grows between 1,500-2,600 m above sea level. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Andorra, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Cape Verde, Central Asia, Chile, China, Crete, Cuba, Cyprus, East Africa, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Europe (country/location of origin), Fiji, Greece, Hawaii, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indochina, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Kashmir, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, SE Asia, Serbia, Sicily, Sikkim, Slovakia, Slovenia, South America, Sri Lanka, Tasmania, USA, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, Vietnam, West Indies, SW Asia

How it is used for food

The young basal leaves and shoots are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The seed oil is used for cooking. The ripe seeds can be used as flavouring. They are used in pickles and sausages. The seeds are sprouted and eaten. They are also powdered and eaten with honey. The flowers are used like broccoli.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. Leaves are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, herb, spice, flowers, vegetable, oil

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

The seeds need to be hand picked as they shed their seeds at maturity. They can be harvested after 90-100 days.

Its other names

Local names

Ankam, Asnab, Cavuliceddu niuru, Crn sinap, Crna zelka, Esek turpu, Franciamustar, Gan-aba, Hardala, Hot-cai den, Huoirruoi, Kadugu, Kalo sorisha, Kalo tori, Kalu aba, Karahardal, Kerkaz, Mazzaredda amara, Monnyin-net, Mostacilla, Mostarda negra, Mostaza negra, Nzeyicheu, Rama negra, Rayo, Saiso, Sarso, Senafich, Sinapi, True mustard, Yaolaisa gisim

Synonyms

Sinapis nigra Linnaeus; Sisymbrium nigrum (Linnaeus) Prantl.; many others