Sinapis arvensis
| Sinapis arvensis | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Mid Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Sinapis arvensis (common name: charlock)
Propagation: Seed - germinates in spring and autumn in the wild. It should not really need much encouragement.
Cultivation: Usually found on heavy alkaline soils in the wild[1]. Succeeds on most soils. Dislikes shade.
The plant harbours an eelworm that attacks other crops[2]. It is therefore best not to grow it in a garden setting.
Range: Europe, including Britain, south and east from Norway to N. Africa, Siberia and S.W. Asia.
Habitat: Cultivated ground, usually on heavy calcareous soils[2][1]. A serious weed of agriculture, especially in spring sown crops[3][1].
Edibility: Leaves - raw or cooked[4][5][6][7][8]. Somewhat hot, the young leaves are used as a flavouring in salads, where they add a piquant flavour[9][10]. Older leaves are used as a potherb[10]. It is best to use just the young shoots and leaves in the spring, older leaves are bitter[9].
Flowering stems - cooked[9][8]. A pleasant, cabbage/radish flavour, they can be used as a broccoli substitute before the flowers open[10]. The stems should be lightly steamed for no more than 5 minutes[9]. The flowers can also be cooked as a vegetable or used as a garnish[10].
Seed - it can be sprouted and eaten raw[7]. A hot flavour, it can be added to salads and sandwiches[10].
The seed can be ground into a powder and used as a food flavouring. It has a hot mustard flavour[5][9][11][12].
An edible oil is obtained from the seed[3][13][8].
Medicinal: The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Black depression', 'Melancholia' and 'Gloom'[14].
Usage: An edible semi-drying oil is obtained from the seed. It is also used in making soap[8] and burns well so can be used for lighting[5].
Pollinators: Bees, flies
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
Seed Ripens: Late Spring-Late Summer
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Known Hazards: The plant is possibly poisonous once the seedpods have formed[15].
Also Known As: Brassica arvensis. B. kaber. B. sinapis. B. sinapistrum.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Triska, Jan. Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn, 1975.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Mabey, Richard. Food for Free. Collins, 1974.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Loewenfeld, Claire and Philippa Back. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Komarov, Vladimir. Flora of the USSR. Gantner Verlag, 1968.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Sowerby, John. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. 1862.
- ↑ Schery. Robert. Plants for Man. Prentice Hall, 1972.
- ↑ Chancellor, Philip. Illustrated Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies. C W Daniel, 1985.
- ↑ Cooper, Marion. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. The Stationery Office, 1984.