Charlock Mustard
Mutarda arvensis
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Azores, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Is., China, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East Aegean Is., Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Gulf States, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Kriti, Krym, Kuwait, Labrador, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Madeira, Morocco, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, Sinai, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Virgin Islands
Olivier Pichard
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Genus:
- Mutarda
- Species:
- Mutarda arvensis
- USDA Symbol:
- SIAR4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 80 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Lucerne Moth (Nomophila nearctica), Western yellowstriped armyworm (Spodoptera praefica), Checkered White (Pontia protodice), Large Marble (Euchloe ausonides), Sara Orangetip (Anthocharis sara), Small White (Pieris rapae)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny locations
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 5–14 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment in warm conditions.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI