Pollinator plant

Black Mustard

Brassica nigra

Pollinator recipe
Sign in to use recipes

Common names

6 names · 2 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Black Mustard[1]
  • Brown Mustard[1]
  • Mostaza[1]
+2 more namesShow fewer names
  • Red Mustard[1]
  • True Mustard[1]
Other languages (1)
Dutch
  • Zwarte mosterd
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Brassica nigra — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Black Mustard — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Brassica nigra.
  • Brown Mustard — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Brassica nigra.
  • Mostaza — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Brassica nigra.
  • Red Mustard — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Brassica nigra.
  • True Mustard — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(5); heading: Common Name(s):; Brassica nigra.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Botanical family
Brassicaceae

The complete-name usages checked in Catalogue of Life agree on this family; authorship and accepted-name identity remain unresolved.

Sources [1]
Taxonomy
NC State Extension publishes a profile under Brassica nigra.

Profile-name match; no accepted-name status is asserted.

Sources [2]
Mature height
0.61–1.22 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
0.3–0.61 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Erect

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Annual

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Medium

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day); Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Moist

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Native range
Europe, China, Africa

NC State Extension profile. Origin reported by the source; this is not a claim of local nativeness.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees, butterflies.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

High suitability
Nectar value High
Pollen value High
Plant profile

About this plant

Black Mustard (Brassica nigra) is a herbaceous plant. It flowers from June to September.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Rhamphospermum nigrum — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: Botanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 4539055; ID C8744; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Brassica nigra — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: TaxonomyMature heightMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleGrowth rateLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonNative rangeReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: Main botanical heading (h1)
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Native range: Country Or Region Of Origin
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .