Sisymbrium officinale - Hedge Mustard

Family:	Cruciferae
Habit:	Annual
Height:	0.6
Width:	0.3
Synonyms:	Erysimum officinale.
Range:	Europe, including Britain, south and east from Scandanavia to N. Africa and the Near East.

Sisymbrium officinale (Hedge Mustard) is a Annual which grows to a height of 0.6m and a width of 0.3m . It has a hardness rating of 6and is vunerable to frost.
Hedge Mustard will flower in December to January. the seeds ripen from January to February
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Self

Soil Information

Hedge Mustard will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Hedge Mustard prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Hedge Mustard can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Hedge banks, uncultivated ground, waste ground, the sites of ruined buildings etc. It is a fairly common weed of cultivated land[7, 17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds
• Will grow in a hedge row

Cultivation Details

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils but prefers a moist to dry acid to alkaline soil in full sun or light shade[238]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[238]. Hedge mustard grows well near oats but it inhibits the growth of turnips[18]. The plant has a peculiar aptitude for collecting and retaining dust[4]. This means that when growing near roads or other polluted places the leaves are seldom edible[K]. A food plant for the caterpillars of several butterfly and moth species[30].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Young shoots - raw or cooked[2, 9, 85]. A bitter cabbage-like flavour, they are used as a flavouring in salads or cooked as a potherb[183, K]. Seed - raw or cooked[257]. It can be ground into a powder and used as a gruel or as a mustard-like flavouring in soups etc[85, 183].

• Condiment - the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.
• Leaves -
• Seed - includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The whole plant is said to be antiaphonic, diuretic, expectorant, laxative and stomachic[4, 7, 21, 46]. This plant was at one time known as the 'singer's plant' because of its use in treating loss of the voice[7]. A strong infusion of the whole plant has been used in the treatment of throat complaints[4, 238]. Excessive doses can affect the heart[238]. The dried plant is almost inactive, so it should only be used when freshly harvested[7].

• Antiaphonic - Restores the voice.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Expectorant - Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.
• Laxative - Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.
• Stomachic - Aids and improves the action of the stomach.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ[238].

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

Alkaline secretions from the growing roots help to sweeten an acid soil[18].

• Soil conditioner - Plants grown to improve the structure of the soil. See also Green manures.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

DISCLAIMER: All information published on AussieGardening.com.au is for entertainment purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained here with other sources. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by doctors or dietary advice by dieticians. AussieGardening.com.au will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages arising therefrom.