Musk mustard, Loose seed herb, Crossflower
Chorispora tenella

Family: Brassicaceae

What it is like

A cabbage family herb. It is an annual plant up to 40 cm tall. It is hairy. The leaves at the base and on the lower stem are broadly oval with lobes along the side. They are 3-4 cm long by 3-5 mm wide. The leaves in the stems do not have leaf stalks. They have teeth. The flowers are lavender and small. They are 3 mm long. The pods are cylinder shaped and 3-5 cm long and slightly curved. They have a beak. The seeds are oblong and 1.5 mm long. They are light brown.

Where it is found

It grows in pastures, roadsides, fields, waste areas between 100–2200 m altitude in China.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Asia, China, Central Asia, Europe, India, Kashmir, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, USA, Uzbekistan, SW Asia

How it is used for food

The young leaves are used in salads.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Raphanus tenellus Pallas; Raphanus monnetii H. Léveillé;