Hedge mustard (Sisymbrium officinale, Fl. Carniol., ed. 2, 2: 26 (1771))

Family: Brassicaceae

Author: (L.) Scop.

Bibliography: Fl. Carniol., ed. 2, 2: 26 (1771)

Year: 1771

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Sisymbrium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, Europe to C. Asia and W. & N. Iran, N. Africa

Description

Hedge mustard, scientifically known as Sisymbrium officinale, belongs to the Brassicaceae family. This herbaceous plant can be found across a wide range of regions including Macaronesia, Europe extending to Central Asia, Western and Northern Iran, and Northern Africa. First documented in the botanical text Fl. Carniol., second edition, volume 2, page 26, in 1771 by renowned botanist Giovanni Antonio Scopoli, the hedge mustard has been of significant interest to botanists and herbalists alike.

The plant typically thrives in disturbed soils, often appearing alongside roadsides, in fields, and in various wastelands. It has an erect stature and can reach heights varying from 30 to 100 cm, characterized by its slender, branching stems. The leaves of the hedge mustard are deeply lobed and somewhat variable in shape, providing a distinctive appearance that differentiates it from other members of the Brassicaceae family.

Flowering from June to October, the hedge mustard produces small, yellow flowers. These flowers are arranged in racemes and are quite inconspicuous, each measuring between 3 to 5 mm in diameter. Despite their modest size, the flowers play a critical role in the reproduction of the plant, leading to the formation of long, thin seed pods that can be up to 4 cm in length. These siliques, as the seed pods are scientifically known, house numerous small seeds that help propagate the species.

In addition to its botanical interest, hedge mustard has been used historically for medicinal purposes. Traditional uses include treatments for respiratory conditions and as a diuretic. Modern research continues to explore the potential health benefits and pharmacological properties of Sisymbrium officinale.

Overall, hedge mustard serves as an example of a resilient, adaptable plant with a rich history of both ecological and medicinal significance.

Common Names

Dan: almindelig solsikke, farve-skønhedsøje, nigerfrø, rank vejsennep, stolt kavaler
Eng: crambling mustard, crambling rocket, hairypod hedgemustard, hedge mustard, hedge tumblemustard, hedge-mustard, hedgemustard, hedgeweed, tumble mustard, wild mustard, common tumble mustard, common hedge mustard, hairy-pod hedge mustard, hedge tumble mustard
Swe: negerfrö, rosenskära, solros, tigeröga, vägsenap
Deu: weg-rauke, wegrauke
Nld: gewone raket
Est: harilik unilook
Fra: herbe aux chantres, sisymbre officinal, herbe au chantre
Ces: hulavník lekársky, hulevník lékařský
Sme: dálkkassennet
Cym: arfog, arfog meddygawl, arfog meddygol, ceddw’r berth, cedw’r berth, cedw’r gwrych, roced y berth
En: Hedge mustard, Tumble mustard, Crambling mustard, Crambling rocket, Wild mustard, Hedgemustard, Singer’s Plant, HEDGE TUMBLEMUSTARD, HEDGE-MUSTARD, Hairypod hedgemustard, English watercress, Hedgeweed, Common tumble mustard, Common hedge mustard, Hairy-pod hedge mustard, Hedge tumble mustard, Hairy-pod Hedge-mustard, Hairy-pod Hedgemustard, Hedge (wild) mustard, Hedge weed, Yellow julienne, Common hedge-mustard
Ar: سمارة مخزنية
Hy: Աղբաղբուկ դեղագործական
Az: Dərman şüvərəni
Eu: Mendaski
Bg: Лечебна мъдрица
Ca: Herba dels cantors, Sisimbri oficinal, Herba de canonges
Zh: 钻果大蒜芥
Cs: Hulevník lékařský, Hulavník lekársky
Da: Rank Vejsennep, Almindelig solsikke, Farve-skønhedsøje, Nigerfrø, Stolt kavaler
Nl: Gewone raket
Et: Harilik unilook
Fi: Rohtopernaruoho
Fr: Sisymbre officinal, Herbe aux chantres, Herbe au chantre, Julienne jaune, Vélar officinal, Moutarde
De: Wegrauke, Gewöhnliche Rauke, Raukensenf, Sängerkraut, Weg-Rauke, Wege-Rauke, Wegsenf, Hederichkraut, Wilde Rucola
He: תודרה רפואית
Hu: Szapora zsombor
Is: Götudesurt
Ga: Lus an óir
It: Erba Cornacchia comune, Erisimo, Sysimbrium officinale, Erba dei cantanti, Erba-cornacchia comune
Kk: Дәрілік сарыбасқурай
Gv: Burley cleiyee
Se: Dálkkassennet
Fa: سیسمبریوم آفیسینال
Pl: Stulisz lekarski
Sk: Huľavníkovec lekársky, Huľavník lekársky
Es: Encendecandiles, Erisimo de los griegos, Erisimo oficinal, Erísimo oficinal, Erísimo, Floridos, Hierba de San Alberto, Hierba de los cantores, Hierba de los chantres, Hierba de los predicadores, Hierba del predicador, Hierba meona, Irion de los latinos, Irion, Jamargo, Jaramago amarillo medicinal, Jaramago amarillo, Jaramago espigado, Jaramago, Morondo, Negrilla, Pajizo, Rabanillo, Rinchos, Rábano, Sisimbrio, Xaramago común de las paredes y linderos, Xaramago de Fragoso, Xaramago, Yerba de San Alberto, Yerba de los cantores, Yerba de los chantres, Matacandil
Sv: Vägsenap, Negerfrö, Rosenskära, Solros, Tigeröga
Uk: Сухоребрик лікарський
Cy: Roced y berth, Arfog, Arfog Meddygawl, Arfog Meddygol, Ceddw’r Berth, Cedw’r Berth, Cedw’r Gwrych

Synonyms

• Hesperis niagarensis (Kuntze)
• Sisymbrium officinarum (Crantz)
• Sisymbrium officinale subsp. leiocarpum ((DC.) Piper & Beattie)
• Sisymbrium niagarense (E.Fourn.)
• Sisymbrium leiocarpum (Jord.)
• Velarum officinale ((L.) Rchb.)
• Valarum officinale ((L.) Schur)
• Erysimum vulgare (Rupr.)
• Erysimum officinale (L.)
• Hesperis officinalis ((L.) Kuntze)
• Velarum officinale subsp. leiocarpum ((DC.) Tzvelev)
• Nasturtium nasturtium (Cockerell)
• Velarum tzvelevii (V.I.Dorof.)
• Chamaeplium officinale ((L.) Wallr.)
• Erysimum officinale var. leiocarpum ((DC.) Farw.)
• Sisymbrium officinale var. leiocarpum (DC.)
• Crucifera sisymbrium (E.H.L.Krause)
• Hesperis ruderalis (Kuntze)
• Sisymbrium ruderale (Jord.)
• Velarum leiocarpum ((DC.) Tzvelev)
• Sisymbrium officinale f. simplex (Bolzon)
• Phryne vulgaris (Bubani)
• Kibera officinalis (Calest.)
• Klukia officinalis ((L.) Andrz. ex Besser)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Selvagens (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
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• Yukon (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 20, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2020 by Kerstin Kerstin (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2013 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2019 by Heinz Gass (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 24, 2019 by Ricardo Lemaur (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 26, 2021 by Anna B (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2019 by Alan Dn (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2021 by Marcelo Soto Soto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 8, 2019 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 8, 2019 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 10, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 11, 2017 by Carlos Villasante (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2013 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 27, 2021 by Paul FRANCK (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2021 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 8, 2019 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 22, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2013 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 10, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 10, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 10, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 10, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 28, 2019 by Dimas Fernández Otero (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3046890)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:289589-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Sisymbrium officinale (L.) Scop.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Soil nutriments: 7