Field Mustard

Common Name

Field Mustard

Scientific Name

Brassica rapa

Clues to ID

This species includes varieties called bok choy, napa cabbage, turnip, rapini, and totsoi

This plant has been used by humans for so long that its origins are unknown. Today it is found in most parts of the globe and is used in all its varieties, mostly as vegetables. The seeds are also used to make canola oil.

Learn MORE about this species:

Rasbak, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Enrico Blasutto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rasbak, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rasbak, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rasbak, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
No machine-readable author provided. Bogdan assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
TeunSpaans, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Miya, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rasbak, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rasbak, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Favorite

This hairy little plant with 5 pointy petals is native to the Mediterranean region and is both edible and medicinal

This large-leaved biennial wildflower has thistle-like flowers and an edible and medicinal taproot

This is the species that is used as THE cultivated walnut tree. It has pinnately compound leaves with about 7 alternate leaflets, larger towards the tip or terminal end.

This worldwide wetland grass can grow up to 20 feet (6 meters) tall and can cover a quarter of a square mile or more in one stand!

This low-growing plant looks, smells, and tastes like onion and is served in US cuisine

If you are in central to southern Texas or Mexico, take a closer look at what you THINK is a typical tufted titmouse — and you might be surprised to see this close relative with a black crest and white forehead.