Brassica juncea tumida

Taxonomy and growth

Family

Brassicaceae

Genus

Brassica

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^{[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 can also be finely shredded and added to mixed salads^[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. Plants produce swellings on the stem, these can be cooked or pickled^[9].

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].

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].

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 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^[12]. A good bee plant^[18].

Related plants

• Brassica balearica
• Brassica carinataAbyssinian Cabbage
• Brassica cretica
• Brassica elongata

References

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

   ↩

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

   ↩

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

   ↩

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

   ↩

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

   ↩1↩2↩3

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

   ↩

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↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12

10. Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods.

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12

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

    ↩1↩2

14. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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

    ↩1↩2

16. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

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17. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2