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Brassica tournefortii - Gouan.

Common Name Wild Turnip-Rape, Asian mustard
Family Brassicaceae or Cruciferae
USDA hardiness 7-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dunes, roadsides and fields in the maritime belt[74].
Range Europe - E. Mediterranean to W. Asia.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Brassica tournefortii Wild Turnip-Rape, Asian mustard


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs
Brassica tournefortii Wild Turnip-Rape, Asian mustard

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Brassica tournefortii is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Oil  Shoots
Edible Uses: Oil

Leaves and young shoots - cooked[177, 183]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[177, 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.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Oil

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though it should be possible to grow it as a spring-sown annual. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in full sun in a well-drained fertile preferably alkaline soil[200]. Grows well in the heavier soils.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Asian mustard; long-fruit turnip; Mediterranean mustard; Mediterranean turnip; pale cabbage; Sahara mustard; tournefort’s birdrape; tournefort’s mustard; wild turnip. Spanish: mostaza; mostaza del desierto; mostaza del Sahara. French: chou de tournefort. Arabic: qarras; shiltam. Finland: välimerenkaali. Italy: cavolo di tournefort. UK: bresychen welw.

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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.

Highly invasive annual herb and is recorded as negatively affecting native species in some US states and Australia. Its fast growth rates enable it to monopolize soil moisture and light and mature before native wildflowers [1d].

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed .

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Brassica juncea multicepsGreen In The SnowAnnual0.4 6-9 FLMHSNM422
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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

Gouan.

Botanical References

74

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Elizabeth Powell   Tue May 10 00:32:20 2005

This plant is a highly invasive weed in the desert southwest of the United States. Caution should be used importing this plant to other countries.

Craig Dremann, Redwood City, California   Wed Jun 22 23:11:05 2005

Dr. Powell's comments don't really convey the problem, which is: HELP!! HELP!!! HELP!!! The Saharan Mustard is coming!!! the Saharan Mustard is coming!!!! Sincerely, Craig Dremann--see web pages below.

DO NOT EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER PLANT this plant in any arid regions anywhere on this planet, except where it is native to.

Link: Ooopps...there Goes Another North American Ecosystem, or Will the Mojave Desert and the Sonoran Desert, along with the native vegetation of four National Parks, disappear within our lifetime? North America deserts are under attack from the mustards

Jason van Warmerdam   Wed Dec 5 2007

Brassica tournefortii is an EXTREMLEY invasive weed of the Southwest and should be destroyed on sight! It increases fire frequencies, competes with and reduces productivity of native annuals, and reduces forage for wildlife, such as the desert tortise.

Pip Stokes   Thu Nov 20 2008

I have observed Brassica tournefortii growing along the strandline (Spring 2008), near Tal-y-Bont, North Wales (the exact location is SH592194). It had reproduced and appeared to be thriving.

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