Brassica juncea rugosa
Head Mustard
an annual member of the Brassica genus in the family Brassicaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Genus
- Brassica
- Life cycle
- annual
- Height
- 0.6 m
- Spread
- 0.4 m
- Fertility
- self fertile
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Leaves and stems - raw or cooked[10][13][14][15][17]. A peppery flavour that can range from mild to hot, this is one of the most highly prized cooked vegetables in the Orient[9]. The leaves are more peppery than the stems[9]. The leaves can also be finely shredded and added to mixed salads[9]. The leaves can be harvested at any stage from seedling to maturity, becoming hotter with age[9].The protein extracted from the leaves mixes well with banana pulp and is well adapted as a pie filling[6]. Flowers and young flowering stems - raw or cooked[15]. Sweet and succulent[2]. An edible semi-drying oil is obtained from the seed[1][7][4][16][6]. The seed contains 25 - 30% oil[18]. The seed is used as a mustard flavouring[5]. It is the source of 'brown mustard'[6], a prepared mustard that is milder than that produced from other species[11]. Pungency of mustard develops when cold water is added to the ground-up seed - an enzyme (myrosin) acts on a glycoside (sinigrin) to produce a sulphur compound. The reaction takes 10 - 15 minutes. Mixing with hot water or vinegar, or adding salt, inhibits the enzyme and produces a mild bitter mustard[11]. Black mustard comes from B. nigra and white mustard from Sinapis alba. The seed is also used whole in curries and pickles[11]. They are often heated in oil to destroy their pungency and give them a nutty flavour[11]. Sprouted seeds can be added to salads.
- Product or use
- Condiment
- Product or use
- Oil
- Plant part
- Flowers
- Plant part
- Leaves
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[12]. The seed is used in the treatment of tumours in China[12]. In Korea, the seeds are used in the treatment of abscesses, colds, lumbago, rheumatism, and stomach disorders[12]. The root is used as a galactagogue in Africa[12]. Ingestion may impart a body odour repellent to mosquitoes[12]. Mustard oil is used in the treatment of skin eruptions and ulcers[12]. Believed to be aperient and tonic, the volatile oil is used as a counterirritant and stimulant[12]. In Java the plant is used as an antisyphilitic emmenagogue[12]. Leaves applied to the forehead are said to relieve headache[12]. The Chinese eat the leaves in soups for bladder, inflammation or haemorrhage[12].
- 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[9]. This is attributed to chemicals that are given off as the plants decay[9].
- Product or use
- Repellent
Ecology and functions
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
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in full sun in most well-drained moisture-retentive fertile soils[3][8][9]. Prefers a heavy soil and some shade[3]. Dislikes very hot weather[13]. Plants tolerate high rainfall and, although fairly deep rooted, are not very drought resistant[9]. A form of B. juncea that has been selected in the Orient for its large edible leaves, there are many named varieties[9]. Plants are very hardy and stand the winter well in temperate areas, they can be harvested lightly in the winter but the main cropping time is in spring[9]. Plants take 3 - 4 months to reach maturity[9]. They prefer a fairly high stable temperature and are well adapted to short day length[8]. Plants have a rooting depth of between 90 - 120 cm[12]. A good bee plant[18].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00
Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-050-0
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Larkcom J. Oriental Vegetables John Murray 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-4781-4
Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods.
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - 1983-00-00
Organ. J. Rare Vegetables for Garden and Table. Faber 1960-00-00
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn 1980-00-00
Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00