Turnip Weed, Short-fruited wild turnip
Rapistrum rugosum

Family: Brassicaceae

What it is like

A cabbage family herb. It is a plant which re-grows each year from seed or can take 2 years to complete its life cycle. It grows about 1 m high. The plant is branched. It has stiff hairs. The leaves near the base form a ring and have leaf stalks. These leaves are lobed and have irregular teeth along the edge. The flowers are yellow. The petals have easy to see dark veins. The fruit have 2 segments. One is thin and the other is rounded. There is a beak at the end.

There are about 3 Rapistrum species.

Where it is found

It grows in tropical and warm temperate places. It can grow in arid places. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,000 m above sea level. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azores, Balkans, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Canary Islands, Central Asia, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Easter Island, Ethiopia, Europe, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hawaii, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Korea, Mediterranean, Middle East, Netherlands, Norfolk Island, North Africa, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, Sicily, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA, Yemen, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The plant in some places has a glycoside which causes goitre. The leaves are eaten raw in salads and also cooked in stews. They are also added to tomato sauces as a pasta seasoning. They are also cooked with egg as an omelette. The stems are peeled and eaten raw.

Edible parts

Leaves, stems, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bolok'a, Cima, Hardala otu, Isiqwashumbe, Kucuk yabani turp, Mostacilla, Ravaniza, Sinapa spagnola, Turpenk, Turp otu

Synonyms

Myagrum rugosum L.; Rapistrum orientale (L.) Crantz;