Sinapis arvensis
Field mustard (Sinapis arvensis ), illustration
The field mustard (Sinapis arvensis) is a perennial plant of the genus mustards (Sinapis ) within the family of cruciferous plants ( Brassicaceae). The type was already in the Bronze Age, a common " weed ".
Description
Wild mustard is an annual herbaceous plant that reaches the plant height of 20 to 60 cm. The stem is hairy projecting in the lower part. The lower leaves are up to 20 cm long, are stalked and heavily structured to lyre-shaped pinnate with a large end portion.
The hermaphrodite, radiärsymmetrische flower is cruciform. The four sepals are from horizontal. The four petals are sulfur yellow. The flower has six long stamens, of which there are two outside and four inside.
The pod is bald, terete and slightly beaded constricted with 8 to 13 black seeds in two subjects and three to five straight, strong nerves on each fruit flap. The pod ends in a 1 to 1.5 cm long, almost round, straight beak.
The flowering period extends from May to October.
Occurrence
The field - mustard is a archaeophyte and was introduced with agriculture in the Mediterranean region in the northern regions of Europe. In temperate zones it is spread throughout the world today.
The field - mustard is spread in front of weed corridors, on wastelands, along paths and dumps. He prefers nutrient -and base- rich soils, is a Lehmzeiger and often occurs in large groups.
After Ellenberg he is a half- light plant, a default heat pointer and a Klassencharakterart the grain Beikrautfluren ( Secalietalia ). Field - mustard growing in the plains and in the mountains up to 1000 m altitude.
Ecology
The field - mustard is sommerannuell and roots to 1 m deep.
Its flowers are homo game to vorweibliche " nectar leading disk flowers ". They have a life span of two days. The chalice from the open flowers, which is why the nectar is presented openly. The pollen -giving side of the dust bag has matured to the top. Have the yellow petals, except in the central part, a high UV reflection. Pollinators are beetles, bees, flies and butterflies. He is a good bee pasture. Self-pollination is but common.
The fruits are pods with a seed- free upper section. They open by dehydration itself The type is a self -, wind - and animal shakers. With people spread it has become a cultural companion. The spherical seeds have a seed coat, the slimy swell with moisture. This also Klebverbreitung takes place. Strong copies can produce up to 25,000 seeds. The seeds are viable for many years, but only come close to the soil surface for germination.
Pungent odor, sharp mustard oils protect plants against fungal infection, wounding and herbivores. However, the caterpillars of the cabbage butterflies prefer plants with mustard oils, which are still detectable in the adult butterflies and protect them from predators.
Use
The seeds can those of White mustard (Sinapis alba) are mixed. Finely chopped leaves can be used as a spice. Flower buds can be cooked like broccoli. Herbaceous parts after prolonged boiling suitable as a vegetable.