Practical
Plants

Brassica juncea strumata

Large Petiole Mustard

an annual member of the Brassica genus in the family Brassicaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
annual
Height
0.75 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 leaf stems - raw or cooked. Flowers and young flowering stems - raw or cooked[13]. Sweet and succulent[2]. An edible semi-drying oil is obtained from the seed[1][7][4][14][6]. The seed contains 25 - 30% oil[15]. 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[10]. 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[10]. Black mustard comes from B. nigra and white mustard from Sinapis alba. The seed is also used whole in curries and pickles[10]. They are often heated in oil to destroy their pungency and give them a nutty flavour[10]. Sprouted seeds can be added to salads.

Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Oil
Plant part
Stem

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[11]. The seed is used in the treatment of tumours in China[11]. In Korea, the seeds are used in the treatment of abscesses, colds, lumbago, rheumatism, and stomach disorders[11]. The root is used as a galactagogue in Africa[11]. Ingestion may impart a body odour repellent to mosquitoes[11]. Mustard oil is used in the treatment of skin eruptions and ulcers[11]. Believed to be aperient and tonic, the volatile oil is used as a counterirritant and stimulant[11]. In Java the plant is used as an antisyphilitic emmenagogue[11]. Leaves applied to the forehead are said to relieve headache[11]. The Chinese eat the leaves in soups for bladder, inflammation or haemorrhage[11].

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

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.

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[9]. It is best not to sow the seed in very hot weather[9]. There are about 5,660 - 6,000 per 0.01 kg (1/3 oz)[11].

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[12]. 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 edible swollen stem, there are many named varieties[9]. Plants are reasonably cold-tolerant[9]. They prefer a fairly high stable temperature and are well adapted to short day length[8]. Many are best grown in warmer climates than Britain but there are several cultivars that grow well in this country[9]. Plants have a rooting depth of between 90 - 120 cm[11]. A good bee plant[15].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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

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

    ↩1↩2

  4. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  5. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

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

    ↩1↩2

  7. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  10. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12

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

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

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  14. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

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

    ↩1↩2

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