Shortpod mustard
Hirschfeldia incana

Family: Brassicaceae

What it is like

A cabbage family herb. It is an annual plant. It can sometimes keep growing from year to year. It grows 1 m tall. The leaves are 4-22 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. The flowers are yellow. The seed pods are blunt. They are 7-15 mm long by 1-2 mm wide. They have small beaks each enclosing one seed. The seed is 0.9-1.5 mm across.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in sandy soils. It can grow in arid places. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,200 m above sea level. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Belgium, Bosnia, Britain, Canary Islands, Caucasus, Chile, Crete, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Easter Island, Europe, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hawaii, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, Netherlands, North Africa, North America, Pacific, Portugal, Scandinavia, Sicily, South America, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tasmania, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, USA, Yemen, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The young plants are eaten with oil and lemon juice. They can also be eaten fresh or boiled. The seeds can be ground and eaten. The flowers are added to vegetable dips. They are also fried and stewed.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, flowers, stems

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Buchan weed, Cimamarella, Greek mustard, Hairy Brassica, Herdlo, Hoary Mustard, Jamargo, Lassimi, Mazzareddi, Rapodde, Senapia, Xerdel

Synonyms

Brassica adpressa (Moench) Boiss.; Brassica geniculata (Desf.) Benth.; Brassica incana (L.) Meigen; Crucifera hirschfeldia E. H. L. Krause; Erucaria hyrcanica DC.; Hirschfeldia adpressa Moench; Sinapis geniculata Desf.; Sinapis incana L.; and others