Black Mustard
Mutarda nigra
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, East Aegean Is., Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Gulf States, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, Netherlands, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Romania, Sardegna, Sicilia, Sinai, Spain, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine
Walther Otto Müller (en.wikipedia.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Genus:
- Mutarda
- Species:
- Mutarda nigra
- USDA Symbol:
- BRNI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Agrotis orthogonia, Army cutworm (Euxoa auxiliaris), Black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon), Cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni), Copablepharon viridisparsa, Painted Tiger Moth (Arachnis picta), Pale-banded Dart (Agnorisma badinodis), spotted eustixia moth (Eustixia pupula), Variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia), Becker's white (Pontia beckerii), Checkered White (Pontia protodice), Large Marble (Euchloe ausonides), Sara Orangetip (Anthocharis sara), Small White (Pieris rapae), Western white (Pontia occidentalis)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Moths:Salt Marsh Moth (Estigmene acrea) Butterflies:Checkered White (Pontia protodice)
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:
- native to Mediterranean regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 5–14 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment in moist soil at 15-20°C.