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Brassica_rapa perviridis - L.H.Bailey

Common Name Mustard Spinach
Family Brassicaceae or Cruciferae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Not known in the wild, it probably arose from B. rapa chinensis, Pak choi[206].
Range A cultivar of garden origin.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Brassica_rapa perviridis Mustard Spinach


http://flickr.com/photos/28222353@N00
Brassica_rapa perviridis Mustard Spinach

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Brassica_rapa perviridis is a BIENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
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 can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

B. rapa komatsuna.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[206]. The flavour is a happy compromise between the blandness of cabbages and the sharpness of the oriental mustards[206]. The plant can be eaten at any stage from seedling to mature plant[206]. Flowering stems - raw or cooked[206]. Sweet and succulent, but becoming hotter as the plant matures[206].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in full sun in a moisture-retentive well-drained fertile preferably alkaline soil[200, 206]. Prefers a cool moist reasonably fertile soil[52]. The plant is somewhat deeper rooted than many of the oriental brassicas and is more tolerant of drought, though it grows best if it is not short of water[206]. Mustard spinach is widely cultivated in the Orient for its edible leaves, there are many named varieties[206]. It takes 55 - 80 days for plants to reach maturity from sowing[206]. This is a very hardy plant, although knocked back, it has withstood temperatures down to about -14°c and can be cropped for most of the year[206]. It is much less likely to bolt from a spring sowing and is fairly resistant to summer heat[206].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow in situ April to September[206]. Some varieties can also be sown in a cold greenhouse in late autumn, winter or early spring to provide leaves overwinter and in late spring.

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
Brassica rapaTurnip, Field mustard, Toria, Yellow sarsonBiennial0.5 7-11  LMHSNM321
Brassica rapa campestrisWild TurnipAnnual0.8 6-9  LMHSNM212
Brassica rapa chinensisPak ChoiBiennial0.9 6-9  LMHSNM41 
Brassica rapa dichotomaIndian RapeBiennial0.9 6-9  LMHSNM200
Brassica rapa narinosaChinese SavoyBiennial0.9 6-9  LMHSNM30 
Brassica rapa nipposinicaMizunaBiennial0.3 6-9 FLMHSNM400
Brassica rapa oleiferaStubble TurnipBiennial0.9 -  LMHSNM203
Brassica rapa parachinensisFalse Pak ChoiBiennial0.3 6-9  LMHSNM40 
Brassica rapa pekinensisChinese CabbageAnnual0.5 6-9  LMHSNM412
Brassica rapa perviridisMustard SpinachBiennial0.5 6-9 FLMHSNM30 
Brassica rapa trilocularisIndian ColzaBiennial0.9 6-9  LMHSNM202

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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L.H.Bailey

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