Species Detail Forb

Flower head		Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants Brassica nigra - black mustard Synonyms: Sinapis nigra Other Common Names: shortpod mustard, (Spanish: mostaza) Plant Form: Forb or Subshrub Family: Brassicaceae
Flower head


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Plant Max Licher @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA)	Flower head Max Licher @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA)	Fruit Max Licher @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA)

Forb Plant Description

Origin: Introduced Life Cycle: Annual Similar Species: Brassica junecea
General Desc: Annual weedy plant with erect stems that are branched above. Rapidly taking over in some areas of Arizona. Believed to be a native of the Mediterranean region.
Identification notes: B. nigra and B. juncea are the only two Brassica species without leaves that are clasping at the base. B. juncea is otherwise similar, but it is hairless and covered with a waxy coating (glaucous).
Height: 2 to 8 feet

Habitat

Habitat Description: Widespread in north America where it infests cultivated fields and disturbed roadsides.
Plant Communities: Disturbed Areas
Elevation: Below 5000 feet

Flower Characteristics

Color: Yellow Shape: Regular not in clusters Tubular: N Flowering Period: May - Oct
Description: The flowers are small and have four petals. They are bisexual and their flowering period may start as early as April at lower latitudes.

Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaf Color: Green Leaf Type: Simple Leaf Shape: Round or oval Leaf Margin: Toothed Leaf Attachment: Basal and alternate Leaves Clasp: N
Hairs: Leaves and stems Spines: N
Leaf Description: The lower leaves of the plant are lobed while the upper leaves are toothed. The stem is erect and branched distally. It has a dense covering of stiff hairs on the lower portions, but is generally smooth on the upper stems.

Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit Color: Dark brown to black
Fruit Type: Pod
Fruit Notes: Seed pods are 4/10 to 1 inch long. The pods have a conspicuous, constricted beak above the uppermost seed.
Seed Notes: The seeds are commonly used as a spice in many cultures.


	Arizona Cooperative Extension Yavapai County 840 Rodeo Dr #C Prescott, AZ 86305 (928) 445-6590	Version 8.0 http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailForb.php Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022 Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson Legal Disclaimer