Showing posts with label Brassicaceae Raphanus Raphanistrum Wild Mustard radish flower plant identification. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brassicaceae Raphanus Raphanistrum Wild Mustard radish flower plant identification. Show all posts

Monday, January 21, 2013

Wild Mustard (Raphanus raphanistrum)

Family Brassicaceae - the plant is also called Wild Radish
Raphanus raphanistrum is a annual growing to 1.2 m (4ft).

It is not frost tender. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by bees, flies.
Young leaves - raw or cooked. A somewhat hot taste, they are finely cut and added to salads or used as a potherb. It is best to use just the young leaves in spring, older leaves soon become bitter.

Seed - raw or cooked. A very pungent flavour, the seed can be ground into a powder and made into a paste when it is an excellent substitute for mustard. The sprouted seeds have a somewhat hot spicy flavour and are a tasty addition to salads.

Flowers - raw. A nice addition to salads. The flower buds are used as a broccoli substitute, they should be lightly steamed for no more than 5 minutes.

Young seedpods - raw. Crisp and juicy, they must be eaten when young because they quickly become tough and fibrous. An edible oil is obtained from the seed.