Edible: Leaves, Seeds, Herb, Spice, Flowers, Vegetable, Oil
A cabbage family herb. It is an annual plant. It grows about 1-3 m high. The leaves are stalked and clasp the stem. The upper leaves are sword shaped. Leaves are 10-20 cm long. Flowers are yellow. The fruit is a pod. It is erect, smooth and 2 cm long. It can have 3-5 seeds. The seeds are reddish-brown to almost black. They are 1.5 mm across.
It is a temperate and Mediterranean climate plant. In China it grows on slopes, steppe, field margins between 900–2800 m altitude. In Nepal it grows to 2000 m altitude. In Ethiopia it grows between 1,500-2,600 m above sea level. Tasmania Herbarium.
Common Names: Black mustard, Ankam, Asnab, Cavuliceddu niuru, Crn sinap, Crna zelka, Esek turpu, Franciamustar, Gan-aba, Hardala, Hot-cai den, Huoirruoi, Kadugu, Kalo sorisha, Kalo tori, Kalu aba, Karahardal, Kerkaz, Mazzaredda amara, Monnyin-net, Mostacilla, Mostarda negra, Mostaza negra, Nzeyicheu, Rama negra, Rayo, Saiso, Sarso, Senafich, Sinapi, True mustard, Yaolaisa gisim
Synonyms:
Sinapis nigra Linnaeus;
Sisymbrium nigrum (Linnaeus) Prantl.;
many others