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Thlaspi arvense - L.

Common Name Pennycress, Field pennycress
Family Brassicaceae or Cruciferae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Waste places and a weed of cultivated ground where it can be a serious pest[1, 13, 17].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to N. Africa, W. Asia, Siberia and Japan.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Thlaspi arvense Pennycress, Field pennycress


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thlaspi_arvense_penning%C3%B6rt.jpg
Thlaspi arvense Pennycress, Field pennycress
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fornax

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Thlaspi arvense is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft).
It is hardy to zone (UK) 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (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  Seed
Edible Uses: Condiment  Oil

Young leaves - raw or cooked[2, 5, 52, 62, 185]. They should always be harvested before the plant comes into flower or they will be very bitter[9]. Even the young leaves have a somewhat bitter flavour and aroma, and are not to everyone's taste[9, 85]. They can be added in small quantities to salads and other foods[9, 183]. They can also be cooked in soups or used as a potherb, they taste somewhat like mustard but with a hint of onion[183]. For a leaf, it is very rich in protein[218]. The seed is ground into a powder and used as a mustard substitute[105, 183]. The seed can be sprouted and added to salads[183].

Composition
Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.
Leaves (Dry weight)
  • 0 Calories per 100g
  • Water : 0%
  • Protein: 54.2g; Fat: 0g; Carbohydrate: 33.1g; Fibre: 0g; Ash: 0g;
  • Minerals - Calcium: 0mg; Phosphorus: 0mg; Iron: 0mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 0mg; Potassium: 0mg; Zinc: 0mg;
  • Vitamins - A: 0mg; Thiamine (B1): 0mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0mg; Niacin: 0mg; B6: 0mg; C: 1900mg;
  • Reference: [ 218]
  • Notes:

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.
Antibacterial  Antidote  Antiinflammatory  Antirheumatic  Blood tonic  Diaphoretic  Diuretic  Expectorant  
Febrifuge  Hepatic  Ophthalmic  Tonic

Antirheumatic, diuretic[46, 61]. The seed is a tonic[218]. Both the seed and the young shoots are said to be good for the eyes[218]. The seeds are used in Tibetan medicine and are considered to have an acrid taste and a cooling potency[241]. They are anti-inflammatory and febrifuge, being used in the treatment of pus in the lungs, renal inflammation, appendicitis, seminal and vaginal discharges[241]. The entire plant is antidote, anti-inflammatory, blood tonic, depurative, diaphoretic, expectorant, febrifuge and hepatic[176, 218]. It is used in the treatment of carbuncles, acute appendicitis, intestinal abscess, post-partum pain, dysmenorrhoea and endometriosis[176]. Use with caution since large doses can cause a decrease in white blood cells, nausea and dizziness[176]. The plant has a broad antibacterial activity[218], effective against the growth of Staphylococci and streptococci[176].

Our new book Edible Shrubs is now available.

Edible Shrubs provides detailed information, attractively presented, on over 70 shrub species. They have been selected to provide a mix of different plant sizes and growing conditions. Most provide delicious and nutritious fruit, but many also have edible leaves, seeds, flowers, stems or roots, or they yield edible or useful oil.

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Edible Shrubs Book

Other Uses

Oil

The seed contains 20 - 30% of a semi-drying oil, it is used for lighting[74].

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils. Dislikes shade.

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - sow in situ in March or April.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

   Jul 27 2010 12:00AM

It is very useful plant in the kitchen. Seeds are used in some Europe Countries(Lithuania)as spice to replace garlic for autentic recipies such as "skilandis". I have to admit, it is deticious.

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