Brassica hirta

Brassica hirta is a species of flowering plant in the mustard family known by the common name yellow mustard. It is native to the Mediterranean region of Europe but can be found on other continents where it is a common weed. It is an ingredient in many mustard condiments.

Description

Brassica hirta is an annual herb producing a slender, branching stem up to about 80 centimeters tall. The leaves are broad and flat with a toothed or lobed edge, the longest near the base of the plant reaching up to 30 centimeters long. They are covered in coarse hairs. The top of the stem is occupied by a raceme of mustardlike flowers with four yellow petals each under a centimeter long. The fruit is a straight, narrow silique up to five centimeters long.

Cultivation and uses

Brassica hirta is cultivated for its seeds in many parts of the world. The seeds are one of the three types used to make the condiment mustard, the others being black mustard (B. nigra) and brown mustard (B. juncea). Yellow mustard is the most mild of the three and is used in the preparation of American yellow mustard condiment. It is also used in many other dishes and food products in various parts of the world.

See also

• Brassica
• Mustard plant
• Mustard seed

References

• Flora of North America
• Jepson Manual Treatment

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