Wild mustard
Sisymbrium capense
Family: Brassicaceae
What it is like
A cabbage family herb. The stems are erect and hairy. It grows 1 m tall. It can grow for one or two years. The leaves are hairy. The lower leaves are broadly sword shaped and almost in a ring. They have lobes along the stalk. The leaves on the stem are smaller with less lobes. The flowers are small and yellow. They are 6-8 mm long. The fruit are oblong seed capsules. The seeds are narrowly oval and flattened.
There are about 80 Sisymbrium species.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Lesotho, South Africa, Southern Africa
How it is used for food
The young leaves are cooked as a potherb. The leaves can be dried and stored.
Edible parts
Vegetable, leaves
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Quela, Tihako ea khomo, Usiqwashumbe