Practical
Plants

Brassica juncea crispifolia

Curled Mustard

a vegetable of the Brassica genus in the family Brassicaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Is a variety
No
Life cycle
annual
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
0.3 (unit unspecified)
Spread
0.3 (unit unspecified)
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A peppery flavour that can range from mild to hot, this is one of the most highly prized cooked vegetables in the Orient[5]. The leaves can also be finely shredded and added to mixed salads[5]. The protein extracted from the leaves mixes well with banana pulp and is well adapted as a pie filling[3]. Flowers and young flowering stems - raw or cooked[8]. Sweet and succulent[1].

Plant part
Seed
Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Seed
Product or use
Oil
Plant part
Seed
Product or use
Sprouted

Sprouted seeds can be added to salads.

Plant part
Seed
Product or use
Spice
Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Fresh
Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Cooked
Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Vegetable

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Reported to be anodyne, aperitif, diuretic, emetic, rubefacient, and stimulant, the plant is a folk remedy for arthritis, foot ache, lumbago, and rheumatism[6]. The seed is used in the treatment of tumours in China[6]. In Korea, the seeds are used in the treatment of abscesses, colds, lumbago, rheumatism, and stomach disorders[6]. The root is used as a galactagogue in Africa[6]. Ingestion may impart a body odour repellent to mosquitoes[6]. Mustard oil is used in the treatment of skin eruptions and ulcers[6]. Believed to be aperient and tonic, the volatile oil is used as a counterirritant and stimulant[6]. In Java the plant is used as an antisyphilitic emmenagogue[6]. Leaves applied to the forehead are said to relieve headache[6]. The Chinese eat the leaves in soups for bladder, inflammation or haemorrhage[6].

Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Aperient
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Galactogogue
Product or use
Rubefacient
Product or use
Stimulant

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

There is some evidence that if this plant is grown as a green manure it is effective in reducing soil-borne root rots in pea crops[5]. This is attributed to chemicals that are given off as the plants decay[5].

Product or use
Repellent

Ecology and functions

Green manure

Environment

Range
A cultivar of garden origin.
Habitat
Not known in the wild.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Wind
No
Maritime
No
Pollution
No
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow in situ from August to October. Spring and early summer-sown crops tend to run quickly to seed, though they can be eaten whilst still small[5]. It is best not to sow the seed in very hot weather[5]. There are about 5,660 - 6,000 per 0.01 kg (1/3 oz)[6].

Seed Requires Scarification
No
Seed Requires Smokification
No
Seed Requires Stratification
No

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in full sun in most well-drained moisture-retentive fertile soils[2][4][5]. Prefers a heavy soil and some shade[2]. Dislikes very hot weather[7]. Plants tolerate high rainfall and, although fairly deep rooted, are not very drought resistant[5]. A form of B. juncea with curled leaves that has been selected in the Orient for its edibility. There are some named varieties[5]. Plants in this group are fairly cold-tolerant and often stand the winter, they are then slow to bolt and can supply a good crop of leaves in the spring[5]. Plants have a rooting depth of between 90 - 120 cm[6]. A good bee plant[9].

References

  1. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00

    ↩

  2. Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-050-0

    ↩1↩2

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  5. Larkcom J. Oriental Vegetables John Murray 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-4781-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  6. Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - 1983-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12

  7. Organ. J. Rare Vegetables for Garden and Table. Faber 1960-00-00

    ↩

  8. Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn 1980-00-00

    ↩

  9. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩

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