Sinapis alba
Plant Details
General Information
Plant Properties
Growth conditions
Moist
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
Acid Neutral Basic
Half shade, Sun
Usage properties
Leaves, Oil, Seed, Condiment
Nitrogen, Oil
Description
Leaves - can be consumed both raw and cooked. They have a spicy flavor, especially when eaten raw. Young leaves are often used as a flavor enhancer in salads, while older leaves serve as a vegetable. Seeds - can be eaten raw after they have germinated for about 4 days. They have a spicy taste and are often added to salads. The seeds can be ground into a powder and used as a flavor enhancer, known commercially as 'yellow mustard.' This type of mustard is milder than black mustard from Brassica nigra. The heat of the mustard develops when cold water is added to the ground seeds - an enzyme (myrosin) reacts with a glycoside (sinigrin) to produce a sulfur compound. This reaction lasts about 10-15 minutes. Mustard can be mixed with hot water or vinegar, or salt can be added.
Harvest Data
Guilds
Guild Information
Click on a plant in the diagram for more information.
Guild Details
| Guild | Description |
|---|---|
|
Malus domestica Apple |
Apple trees provide shade and improve soil conditions with fallen leaves. |
|
Prunus x dasycarpa Black Apricot |
Sugar maples provide excellent shade and improve insect diversity in the area. |
|
Elaeagnus umbellata Autumn olive |
Autumn olive fixes nitrogen in the soil, benefiting nearby plants. |
|
Rosa rubiginosa Sweet Briar, Sweetbriar rose |
Rose bushes attract pollinators while providing habitat and preventing erosion. |
|
Hibiscus syriacus Rose Of Sharon, Althaea, Shrub Althea, Hardy Hibiscus |
Hibiscus blooms attract beneficial insects and improve biodiversity. |