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Sisymbrium officinale - (L.)Scop.

Common Name Hedge Mustard
Family Brassicaceae or Cruciferae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Hedge banks, uncultivated ground, waste ground, the sites of ruined buildings etc. It is a fairly common weed of cultivated land[7, 17].
Range Europe, including Britain, south and east from Scandanavia to N. Africa and the Near East.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Sisymbrium officinale Hedge Mustard


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Sisymbrium officinale Hedge Mustard
http://www.commanster.eu/commanster.html

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Sisymbrium officinale is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Erysimum officinale.

Habitats

 Hedgerow; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed  Shoots
Edible Uses: Condiment

Young shoots - raw or cooked[2, 9, 85]. A bitter cabbage-like flavour, they are used as a flavouring in salads or cooked as a potherb[183, K]. Seed - raw or cooked[257]. It can be ground into a powder and used as a gruel or as a mustard-like flavouring in soups etc[85, 183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiaphonic  Diuretic  Expectorant  Laxative  Stomachic

The whole plant is said to be antiaphonic, diuretic, expectorant, laxative and stomachic[4, 7, 21, 46]. This plant was at one time known as the 'singer's plant' because of its use in treating loss of the voice[7]. A strong infusion of the whole plant has been used in the treatment of throat complaints[4, 238]. Excessive doses can affect the heart[238]. The dried plant is almost inactive, so it should only be used when freshly harvested[7].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Soil conditioner

Alkaline secretions from the growing roots help to sweeten an acid soil[18].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils but prefers a moist to dry acid to alkaline soil in full sun or light shade[238]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[238]. Hedge mustard grows well near oats but it inhibits the growth of turnips[18]. The plant has a peculiar aptitude for collecting and retaining dust[4]. This means that when growing near roads or other polluted places the leaves are seldom edible[K]. A food plant for the caterpillars of several butterfly and moth species[30].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ[238].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Sisymbrium altissimumTumble Mustard, Tall tumblemustardAnnual1.0 0-0  LMHSNDM110
Sisymbrium crassifolium Biennial/Perennial0.8 -  LMHSNM10 
Sisymbrium irioLondon RocketAnnual0.5 0-0  LMHSNDM120
Sisymbrium loeseliiSmall tumbleweed mustardAnnual0.5 0-0  LMHSNDM010
Sisymbrium matritense Annual/Biennial0.9 -  LMHSNM10 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(L.)Scop.

Botanical References

17

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Thu Dec 30 07:34:37 2004

This plant is found in Malta/Mediterranean basin/Europe

More comprehensive details, medicinal properties, uses, botanical data, plant description and photogallery of high resolutions photos of this plant can be seen on an interesting website about the wild plants of Malta: www.maltawildplants.com

Link: Malta Wild Plants Website and photography by Stephen Mifsud, Malta.

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Subject : Sisymbrium officinale  
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