Raphanus sativus niger

Taxonomy and growth

Family

Brassicaceae

Genus

Raphanus

Life cycle

annual

Growth rate

vigorous

Height

0.45 m

Spread

0.2 m

Fertility

Bees, Flies

Flower type

hermaphrodite

Pollinators

Bees, Flies

Uses

Edible uses

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

Young leaves - raw or cooked^{[19][21][1][7]}. A somewhat hot taste, and the texture is somewhat coarse[K]. As long as they are young, they make an acceptable addition in small quantities to chopped salads and are a reasonable cooked green[K]. A nutritional analysis is available^[14]. Young flower clusters - raw or cooked^[7]. A spicy flavour with a crisp pleasant texture, they make a nice addition to salads or can be used as a broccoli substitute[9, K]. Seeds - raw. The seed can be soaked for 12 hours in warm water and then allowed to sprout for about 6 days^[17]. They have a hot spicy flavour and go well in salads^[7][17]. Young seedpods - raw^{[8][19][21][1]}. Crisp and juicy with a mildly hot flavour[K]. They must be eaten when young because they quickly become tough and fibrous^[7]. Root - raw or cooked^[8][19][21]. Large, crisp and juicy, many varieties have a hot and spicy flavour, though there are also many of the Oriental forms with much milder flavours. They can be sliced and eaten in salads or can be cooked in soups etc. The roots store well and can be either harvested in early winter for storage or be harvested as required through the winter[K]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed^[8][7].

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.

Radishes have long been grown as a food crop, but they also have various medicinal actions. The roots stimulate the appetite and digestion, having a tonic and laxative effect upon the intestines and indirectly stimulating the flow of bile^[18]. Consuming radish generally results in improved digestion, but some people are sensitive to its acridity and robust action^[18]. The plant is used in the treatment of intestinal parasites, though the part of the plant used is not specified^[2]. The leaves, seeds and old roots are used in the treatment of asthma and other chest complaints^[14]. The juice of the fresh leaves is diuretic and laxative^[16]. The seed is carminative, diuretic, expectorant, laxative and stomachic^[5][14][16]. It is taken internally in the treatment of indigestion, abdominal bloating, wind, acid regurgitation, diarrhoea and bronchitis^[15]. The root is antiscorbutic, antispasmodic, astringent, cholagogue, digestive and diuretic^[13][14]. It is crushed and used as a poultice for burns, bruises and smelly feet^[14]. Radishes are also an excellent food remedy for stone, gravel and scorbutic conditions^[20]. The root is best harvested before the plant flowers^[13]. Its use is not recommended if the stomach or intestines are inflamed^[13]. The plant contains raphanin, which is antibacterial and antifungal^[14][15]. It inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, streptococci, Pneumococci etc^[5]. The plant also shows anti-tumour activity^[14].

Material uses

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

The growing plant repels beetles from tomatoes and cucumbers^[9][11]. It is also useful for repelling various other insect pests such as carrot root fly^[11]. There is a fodder variety that grows more vigorously and is used as a green manure^[22].

Ecology and functions

Environment

Range

A plant of cultivation. the origin of which is obscure. It probably arose through cultivation.

Habitat

Not known in the wild.

Light

full sun

Shade tolerance

light shade

Water

moderate

Soil textures

sandy, loamy, clay

Soil pH

neutral, alkaline

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.

Prefers a rich soil with ample moisture^[3][21]. Dislikes very heavy or acid soils^[3][19]. Some of the Oriental radish cultivars have been selected for growing in clay soils, the swollen part of the root is formed on the soil surface^[12]. Plants are susceptible to drought and require irrigation during dry spells in the summer or the root quality will rapidly deteriorate and the plant will go to seed. The Oriental and winter radishes are often cultivated for their large edible roots, which can be available from mid summer and all through the winter. There are many named varieties. The plants are very winter hardy and can normally be left in the ground all winter to be harvested as required, though slugs might cause some damage to the roots. Radishes are a good companion plant for lettuces, nasturtiums, peas and chervil, tomatoes and cucumbers^[6][9]. They are said to repel cucumber beetles if planted near cucumber plants and they also repel the vine borers which attack squashes, marrows and courgettes^[15]. They grow badly with hyssop^[6][9] and with grape vines^[11].

Related plants

• Raphanus landraRadish
• Raphanus maritimaSea Radish
• Raphanus raphanistrumWild Radish
• Raphanus sativusRadish

References

1. RHS. The Garden. Volume 111. Royal Horticultural Society 1986-00-00

   ↩1↩2

2. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

   ↩

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

   ↩1↩2

4. Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987.

   ↩

5. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

   ↩1↩2

6. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

   ↩1↩2

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

   ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

   ↩1↩2↩3

9. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

   ↩1↩2↩3

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

11. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

13. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

14. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

16. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2

17. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩1↩2

18. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2

19. Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

20. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

22. Woodward. L. Burge. P. Green Manures. Elm Farm Research Centre. 1982-00-00

    ↩