Komatsuna, Spinach mustard, Tendergreen, Japanese mustard
Brassica rapa subsp. nipposinica var. perviridis

Family: Brassicaceae

What it is like

A cabbage family herb. It is a hardy upright plant. It grows to 1m tall. The leaves are oval or oblong. They are 25 cm long by 15 cm wide. They are dark green. Flowers are yellow and normally with 4 petals.

There are about 30 Brassica species and many cultivated varieties.

Where it is found

It is a cool climate plant. It needs a sunny position. It is grown in the cooler season in some tropical places. They are very cold tolerant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Japan, Taiwan

How it is used for food

Young leaves can be eaten in salad. They can be added to soups and stir fries, or simply cooked as a vegetable. They are also used in a rice-cake soup. Young seedlings are used as a vegetable. Some forms have a thickened root that can be pickled and eaten.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, sprouts, roots, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed germinate in about 7 days at 12°C. Plants are spaced about 30 cm apart.

Young plants are ready to harvest about 6 weeks after sowing when they are about 20 cm high.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Possibly Brassica perviridis Bailey; [or B. rapa Neep Greens Group, in part]