White Mustard, Mustard, Yellow Mustard, Sénevé Blanc, Moutarde Blanche
Sinapis alba
🌿 Morphology
🌞 Growing conditions
🌍 Origin and family
🌾 Uses
Warning: Despite the care taken in writing this sheet, it is essential to cross-reference sources before using or consuming any plant. When in doubt, consult a qualified professional
Permaculture uses
White Mustard is primarily used as a green manure cover crop to suppress weeds, improve soil structure, and prevent erosion. It's also grown for its edible seeds, which can be ground into mustard. The young leaves are edible and can be added to salads or cooked as greens. It's a valuable addition to crop rotations and intercropping systems for its soil-improving properties.
Permapeople description
White mustard is an annual plant of the family Brassicaceae. It is commonly grown as a green manure crop or for its seeds, which are used as a condiment.
Botanical description
Sinapis alba is an annual dicotyledonous plant in the family Brassicaceae. It typically grows to a height of 20 to 80 cm. The stem is erect, branched, and hairy. Leaves are pinnately lobed with a large terminal lobe and smaller lateral lobes. Flowers are yellow, arranged in racemes, and have four petals in a cross shape, characteristic of the mustard family. The fruit is a silique, a dry capsule that splits open to release the seeds. Seeds are round, yellowish-white, and pungent. The plant thrives in well-drained soil and full sun.
Companion planting
White mustard is a good companion plant for broad beans, acting as a trap crop for some pests. However, it can be allelopathic to some other plants, so careful consideration is needed when planning companion planting schemes.
Propagation methods
White mustard is primarily propagated by seed. Direct sowing is the most common method. Seeds can be sown in spring or early autumn. The plant self-seeds readily. Seedlings are relatively fast growing and require little care once established.
History and traditions
White mustard has a long history of use as a spice and medicinal plant. It originated in the Mediterranean region and spread throughout Europe and Asia. The seeds were used in ancient Greece and Rome for flavoring food and as a remedy for various ailments. In traditional medicine, mustard seeds were used as a stimulant, digestive aid, and poultice for muscle pain. It has also been used in religious ceremonies and folklore.
Usage calendar
Flowering: Spring to summer. Harvesting seeds: Late summer to autumn. Planting: Spring or early autumn. Green manure incorporation: Before flowering.