Purple mistress
Moricandia arvensis

Family: Brassicaceae

What it is like

A short herb. It grows for a few years. The stems are branched. The leaves are near the base. They are fleshy and like a cabbage. They are oval with blunt teeth. The upper leaves are smaller and heart shaped. They clasp the stem. The flowers are purple to violet. They are about 2 cm across and in loose arrangements. The fruit is a pod 3-8 cm long. It is slightly square in cross section.

There are about 6 Moricandia species.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean plant. It grows in rocky places and on old walls. It grows on limestone soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Algeria, Europe, Italy, Mediterranean, Morocco, North Africa, Sicily, Spain, Tunisia

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten cooked as a vegetable. They are used in stews. It is also used as a spice of flavouring.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Collejon basto, Krumb ej-jmel

Synonyms

Brassica arvensis L.; Eruca arvensis (L.) Noulet; and several others