Field Mustard
Brassica rapa
Also known as: Pak Choi
- Native to:
- Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kriti, Labrador, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Oman, Saudi Arabia, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye
TeunSpaans
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Genus:
- Brassica
- Species:
- Brassica rapa
- USDA Symbol:
- BRRA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Biennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Alfalfa Looper (Autographa californica), Army cutworm (Euxoa auxiliaris), Bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata), Bronzed Cutworm (Nephelodes minians), cabbage budworm moth (Hellula phidilealis), Cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni), darksided cutworm (Euxoa messoria), dingy cutworm (Feltia jaculifera), European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis), Evergestis pallidata, Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), fragile anacamptodes moth (Anacamptodes fragilaria), kidney-spotted minor (Lacinipolia renigera), lesser cornstalk borer (Elasmopalpus lignosellus), nutmeg (Discestra trifolii), Old Man Dart (Agrotis vetusta), Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum), Small Mocis Moth (Mocis latipes), Striped Garden Caterpillar Moth (Trichordestra legitima), Sweetpotato Armyworm (Spodoptera dolichos), tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta), underworld dart (Agrotis subterranea), Variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia), Virginia Tiger Moth (Spilosoma virginica), White-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata), Yellow-striped armyworm (Spodoptera ornithogalli), zebra caterpillar moth (Melanchra picta), Checkered White (Pontia protodice), Large Marble (Euchloe ausonides), Sara Orangetip (Anthocharis sara)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage preferred
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- native to temperate regions with rich soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 3–10 days
- Notes:
- Germinates readily at cool temperatures (15-20°C). Light not required for germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.