Common Name: Charlock

General Information

Sinapis arvensis is an erect, annual plant with a branched or unbranched stem growing from a slender taproot; it can grow 10 - 100cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of oil.

Known Hazards

The plant is possibly poisonous once the seedpods have formed[].

Botanical References

Range

Europe, including Britain, south and east from Norway to N. Africa, Siberia and S.W. Asia.

Habitat

A weed of cultivated ground, usually on heavy calcareous soils[, ]. A serious weed of agriculture, especially in spring sown crops[, ].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.75 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Sinapis arvensis is a moderately cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -20°c when fully dormant[].
Usually found on heavy alkaline soils in the wild[]. Succeeds on most soils. Dislikes shade.
This species takes a lot of nutrients and water from soil, twice as much as oat and six times as much as barley[].
The plant harbours an eelworm that attacks other crops[]. It is therefore best not to grow it in a garden setting.

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[, , , , ]. Somewhat hot, the young leaves are used as a flavouring in salads, where they add a piquant flavour[, ]. Older leaves are used as a potherb[]. It is best to use just the young shoots and leaves in the spring, older leaves are bitter[].

Flowering stems - cooked[, ]. A pleasant, cabbage/radish flavour, they can be used as a broccoli substitute before the flowers open[]. The stems should be lightly steamed for no more than 5 minutes[].
The flowers can also be cooked as a vegetable or used as a garnish[].

Seed - it can be sprouted and eaten raw[]. A hot flavour, it can be added to salads and sandwiches[].
The seed can be ground into a powder and used as a food flavouring. It has a hot mustard-like flavour[, , , ].

An edible oil is obtained from the seed[, , ]. The seed contains up to 30% oil[].

Medicinal

The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Black depression', 'Melancholia' and 'Gloom'[].

Other Uses

An edible semi-drying oil is obtained from the seed. It is also used in making soap[] and burns well so can be used for lighting[]. The seed contains up to 30% of a fatty oil[].

Propagation

Seed - germinates in spring and autumn in the wild. It should not really need much encouragement.