Indian mustard, Leaf mustard, Chinese mustard
Brassica juncea

Family: Brassicaceae

What it is like

It is an erect leafy annual cabbage plant. It grows to about 1 m high. The plant can vary a lot. The leaves are elliptical and deeply divided. They are dark green. The end segment of the leaves is oval. The leaves taper towards the stem and have a strong mustard flavour. The flowers are pale yellow. They have 4 petals. It produces a flower and seed pods at the top. The seed pod is long and narrow. It is 3-5 cm long. The seeds are reddish-brown.

There are about 30 Brassica species and many cultivated varieties.

Where it is found

A warm temperate plant. It is grown in some highland areas in the tropics. It is often grown as a cool season crop. Most varieties are not frost tolerant. It needs a fertile, well drained soil. A pH of 5.5-6.8 is suitable. It can tolerate poor soils. In the Himalayas in summer it grows to 3,600 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. Tasmania Herbarium. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Caucasus, Central Africa, Central America, Central Asia, China, Congo DR, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Denmark, East Africa, East Timor, Egypt, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Guiana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea, Kuwait, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Marquesas, Middle East, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Sao Tome and Principe, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Siberia, Sierra Leone, Sikkim, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Trinidad-Tobago, Turkey, Türkiye, Tuvalu, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked and eaten. They have a bitter taste, so the cooking water needs changing. They can be stir-fried, or added to soups and stews. They can be eaten crystallised in vinegar or salt. They can be used in salads. The seeds can be fried then used as a spice. They also yield an edible oil. They can be sprouted. The leaves are also pickled.

Only grown occasionally in Papua New Guinea. It is a cultivated plant.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds - oil, spice, vegetable, flowers

How it is grown

The seed is broadcast. They can be put in a nursery and transplanted. A spacing of 25 cm x 25 cm is suitable. Seed germinate in 5 days at 20-25°C.

Plants grow rapidly. Leaves can be harvested one month after planting. Leaves can be harvested several times. Whole plants can be harvested in about 45 days from transplanting.

Its other names

Local names

Acelga china, A-mothsora, Ananatsongo, Antam, Brown mustard, Cai be-xanh, Cai canh, Dijon mustard, Dongi, Figiri, Gai choi, Jie cai, Kaad khiew, Kaai ts'oi, Kabej-plasas, Kadugu, Kai choy, Karamkala, Kanganje, Karashi-na, Khat naa, Mbumbi, Modo metan, Monnyin-no, Mosita, Mostaza china, Mpatu, Mpiru, Mustasa, Nkofi, Phakkat-khieo, Phakkat-khieopli, Rai, Rai sorisha, Samon-ni, Sarepta mustard, Sawi, Sawi pahit, Se-sawi

Synonyms

Brassica argyi H. Léveillé; Brassica cernua (Thunberg) F. B. Forbes & Hemsley; Brassica integrifolia (West) O. E. Schulz; Brassica japonica (Thunberg) Siebold ex Miquel; Brassica juncea subsp. integrifolia (West) Thellung; Brassica juncea var. crispifolia L. H. Bailey; Brassica juncea var. foliosa L. H. Bailey; Brassica juncea var. gracilis M. Tsen & S. H. Lee; Brassica juncea var. integrifolia (Stokes) Sinskaya; Brassica juncea var. japonica (Thunberg) L. H. Bailey; Brassica juncea var. longidens L. H. Bailey; Brassica juncea var. longipes M. Tsen & S. H. Lee; Brassica juncea var. multisecta L. H. Bailey; Brassica juncea var. multiceps M. Tsen & S. H. Lee; Brassica juncea var. rugosa (Rox-burgh) Kitamura; Brassica juncea var. strumata M. Tsen & S. H. Lee; Brassica juncea var. subintegrifolia Sinskaya; Brassica lanceolata (de Candolle) Lange; Brassica napiformis (Paillieux & Bois) L. H. Bailey var. multisecta (L. H. Bailey) A. I. Baranov; Brassica rugosa (Rox-burgh) L. H. Bailey; Brassica taquetii H. Léveillé; Brassica willdenowii Boissier; Raphanus junceus (Linnaeus) Crantz; Sinapis cernua Thunberg; Sinapis chinensis Linnaeus var. integrifolia Stokes; Sinapis cuneifolia Roxburgh; Sinapis integrifolia West; Sinapis japonica Thunberg; Sinapis juncea Linnaeus; Sinapis lanceolata de Candolle; Sinapis patens Roxburgh; Sinapis ramosa Roxburgh; Sinapis rugosa Roxburgh;