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Raphanus sativus caudatus
  • Rat-Tail Radish

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

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Green manure
    Green manure
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 8
    Zone 8
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Raphanus sativus caudatus has 0 edible uses listed
Raphanus sativus caudatus has 0 material uses listed
Raphanus sativus caudatus has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Young leaves - raw or cooked[1]. A somewhat hot taste.

Flowers - raw. A nice spicy addition to salads.

Young seedpods - raw[2][3][4][5]. Crisp and juicy, they must be eaten when young because they quickly become tough and fibrous. They can grow more than 60cm long, but they tend to become tough and fibrous when more than 30cm long[6].

Flowers

Unknown use

Leaves

Unknown use

Seedpod

Unknown use

Material uses

The growing plant repels beetles from tomatoes and cucumbers[7][8]. It is also useful for repelling various other insect pests such as carrot root fly[8]. There is a fodder variety that grows more vigorously and is used as a green manure[9].

Unknown part

Repellent

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

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[10]. Consuming radish generally results in improved digestion, but some people are sensitive to its acridity and robust action[10].

The plant is used in the treatment of intestinal parasites, though the part of the plant used is not specified[11]. The leaves, seeds and old roots are used in the treatment of asthma and other chest complaints[12]. The juice of the fresh leaves is diuretic and laxative[13]. The seed is carminative, diuretic, expectorant, laxative and stomachic[14][12][13]. 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[16][12]. It is crushed and used as a poultice for burns, bruises and smelly feet[12]. Radishes are also an excellent food remedy for stone, gravel and scorbutic conditions[3]. The root is best harvested before the plant flowers[16]. Its use is not recommended if the stomach or intestines are inflamed[16].

The plant contains raphanin, which is antibacterial and antifungal[12][15]. It inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, streptococci, Pneumococci etc[14]. The plant also shows anti-tumour activity[12].

Unknown part

Anthelmintic
Antibacterial
Antifungal
Antiscorbutic
Antispasmodic
Astringent
Cancer
Carminative
Cholagogue
Digestive
Diuretic
Expectorant
Laxative
Poultice
Stomachic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Green manure

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ. Germination should take place within 2 weeks.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Raphanus sativus caudatus. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a rich soil with ample moisture[17][18]. Dislikes very heavy or acid soils[17][5]. 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 rat-tailed radishes are sometimes cultivated for their large edible seedpods, there are some named varieties[6]. This group of radishes does not produce roots of good quality, it is cultivated mainly for the edible young seedpods which are harvested in the summer.

Radishes are a good companion plant for lettuces, nasturtiums, peas and chervil, tomatoes and cucumbers[19][7]. 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[19][7] and with grape vines[8].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Raphanus sativus caudatus. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Raphanus sativus caudatus.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Raphanus sativus caudatus
Genus
Raphanus
Family
Brassicaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Medicinal uses
[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][3]
Material uses & Functions
[7][8][9]
Botanic
[20]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Green manure
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
8
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    annual
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees, Flies
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8 ()
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. (1878-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (1978-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.3 Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-304-34324-2 (1993-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Woodward. L. Burge. P. Green Manures. Elm Farm Research Centre. (1982-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.2 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.412.512.6 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 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)
    14. ? 14.014.114.2 Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles (1985-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.215.3 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.116.216.3 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.1 Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-050-0 (1977-00-00)
    18. ? Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn (1980-00-00)
    19. ? 19.019.1 Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins (1979-00-00)
    20. ? Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)


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    Facts about "Raphanus sativus caudatus"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyBrassicaceae +
    Belongs to genusRaphanus +
    Functions asGreen manure +
    Has common nameRat-Tail Radish +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFlowers +, Leaves + and Seedpod +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeBee + and Flies +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone8 +
    Has lifecycle typeAnnual +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useRepellent +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnthelmintic +, Antibacterial +, Antifungal +, Antiscorbutic +, Antispasmodic +, Astringent +, Cancer +, Carminative +, Cholagogue +, Digestive +, Diuretic +, Expectorant +, Laxative +, Poultice + and Stomachic +
    Has search nameraphanus sativus caudatus + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameRaphanus sativus caudatus +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +