Hedge Mustard
Sisymbrium officinale

Family: Brassicaceae

What it is like

A cabbage family herb. It is an erect annual plant. It grows 25-75 cm tall. It is mostly smooth. The branches are almost at right angles to the stem. The leaves form a ring at the base. The leaves are divided with the lobe at the end being the largest. The upper leaves are smaller. They have 2 lobes at the base. The flowers are pale yellow. The pods are 2.5-5 cm long and about 1 mm wide. They are ribbed and hairy.

There are about 80 Sisymbrium species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in roadsides, fields, pastures, waste grounds, deserts from near sea level to 1500 m altitude in China. It can grow in arid places. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 900 m above sea level. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, Britain (country/location of origin), Canada, Central Asia, Chile, China, Crete, Croatia, Czech Republic, East Africa, Ethiopia, Europe, Greece, Haiti, Hawaii, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kashmir, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Lesser Antilles, Libya, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, North Africa, North America, Norway, Pacific, Pakistan, Russia, Scandinavia, Sicily, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Tanzania, Tasmania, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Uruguay, USA, SW Asia, Venezuela, West Indies, Yemen

How it is used for food

The leaves are used in sauces, salads and stews. They have a peppery taste. The seeds are parched and ground into flour. This is used for flavouring soups. The flowering shoots are eaten boiled and seasoned with oil and lemon. They are used in soups.

It is a famine food.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, flowers, stems

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Akhardal, Bank cress, Cimamara, Erismo, Ermulata, Gere, Jaramago, Mazzareddri, Mostacilla, Scrambling rocket, Sportavecchia, Strizica, Vrouves, Wegerauke, Wireweed, Wiry Jack, Yerba de san alberto, Zuan guo da suan jie

Synonyms

Erysimum officinale Linnaeus; Sisymbrium officinale var. leiocarpum de Candolle;