Hoary mustard (Hirschfeldia incana, Fl. Tarn Garonne: 19 (1847))

Family: Brassicaceae

Author: (L.) Lagr.-Foss.

Bibliography: Fl. Tarn Garonne: 19 (1847)

Year: 1847

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Hirschfeldia

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Medit. to Iran and Arabian Pen.

Description

Hoary mustard, scientifically known as Hirschfeldia incana, is a notable member of the Brassicaceae family. This plant species, first detailed in the botanical reference “Flora Tarn Garonne” published in 1847 by Lagrange-Fossati, has its origins traced to the Mediterranean region, extending through Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.

Hirschfeldia incana is an annual or biennial herb recognized for its ability to thrive in a variety of environments, often found in disturbed soils, roadsides, and agricultural fields. The plant exhibits characteristic hoary, or grayish, foliage which is covered in fine hairs, giving it a distinctive appearance. Its foliage, alongside its bright yellow flowers that bloom in the spring and summer months, makes it easily identifiable.

The plant produces small, four-petaled flowers, typical of the mustard family, which are arranged in clusters at the ends of the stems. Following the flowering period, hoary mustard forms slender seed pods that contain small, round seeds, aiding in its widespread distribution.

Due to its resilience and adaptability, Hirschfeldia incana is considered a hardy species, capable of growing in nutrient-poor soils and arid conditions. Historically and ecologically, it serves as an important plant within its native range, providing a source of pollen and nectar for various insects.

Despite its benefits to local ecosystems, hoary mustard can sometimes be regarded as a weed, particularly in agricultural settings where it competes with crops for resources. Management of this plant may be necessary to ensure that it does not overtake cultivated areas.

In summary, Hirschfeldia incana, or hoary mustard, is a versatile and resilient plant species with a wide native range spanning from the Mediterranean to Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. Its distinctive hoary leaves, bright yellow flowers, and adaptability to various environments make it a noteworthy species within the Brassicaceae family.

Common Names

Dan: bastardsennep, gråsennep, kinesisk poppel, laurbær-poppel, vestamerikansk poppel
Deu: gewöhnlicher grausenf, graukohl, grausenf, rempe
Nld: grijze mosterd
Eng: hoary mustard, mediterranean mustard, shortpod mustard, buchanweed, hairy brassica, summer mustard, hoary cabbage
Swe: jättepoppel, kinesisk poppel, lagerpoppel, svartpoppel, gråsenap
Lit: pilkoji hiršfeldija
Est: hall lõunasinep
Ces: huseni
Fra: roquette bâtarde
Lav: sirm
Hun: szürke nyurgaszál
Cym: cedw penllwyd, mwstard llwyd
En: Hoary mustard, Mediterranean mustard, Buchanweed, Summer mustard, Hairy brassica, Shortpod mustard, Hoary Cabbage, Greek Mustard
Ar: خردل يوناني
Be: Гіршфельдыя шэрая
Ca: Citró
Hr: Rigača
Cs: Huseničák šedý, Huseni
Da: Bastardsennep, Gråsennep, Kinesisk poppel, Laurbær-poppel, Vestamerikansk poppel
Nl: Grijze mosterd
Et: Hall lõunasinep
Fi: Hilmiö
Fr: Roquette bâtarde, Faux Rapistre blanchâtre, Tiéloque, Hirschfeldie grisâtre
De: Gewöhnlicher Grausenf, Graukohl, Grausenf, Rempe, Grauer Bastardsenf
He: לפתית מצויה
Hu: Szürke nyurgaszál
It: Cavoso peloso, Senape canuta
Lv: Sirm
Lt: Pilkoji hiršfeldija
Fa: خردل کاذب
Pt-br: Mostarda-bastarda, Rúcula-bastarda
Ru: Гиршфельдия серая
Es: Jaramago blanco
Sv: Gråsenap, Jättepoppel, Kinesisk poppel, Lagerpoppel, Svartpoppel
Uk: Гірчичник сивий
Cy: Mwstard llwyd, Cedw Penllwyd

Synonyms

• Hirschfeldia adpressa (Moench)
• Strangalis adpressa ((Moench) Dulac)
• Sinapis incana (L.)
• Sisymbrium incanum ((L.) Prantl)
• Raphanus incanus ((L.) Crantz)
• Erucastrum incanum var. dasycarpa ((Lange) Willk.)
• Brassica nigra var. incana ((L.) Dosch & J.Scriba)
• Brassica incana ((L.) Maly)
• Sinapis adpressa ((Moench) Schloss. & Vuk.)
• Hirschfeldia incana subsp. adpressa (Maire)
• Hirschfeldia incana var. leiocarpa (Lange)
• Hirschfeldia incana var. dasycarpa (Lange)
• Erucastrum incanum ((L.) W.D.J.Koch)
• Brassica adpressa ((Moench) Boiss.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile North (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Desventurados Is. (introduced)
• Easter Is. (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Juan Fernández Is. (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Northwest European R (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Yemen (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Dec 20, 2008 by EOL − Keir Morse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 1, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Patrick LEBOULENGER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 10, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Patrick LEBOULENGER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2020 by Tess Reed (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2019 by Luna Andrés Marino (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 16, 2019 by li-nda hm (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 22, 2019 by Abuhassan walid (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by Christophe Leveneur (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 22, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2018 by Randy Huey (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Dec 23, 2021 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 20, 2021 by Reinhard Bachmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2020 by andres amaya (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 16, 2020 by parada waldo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2015 by EOL − Zoya Akulova (cc-by-nc)

Bark

Taken Dec 16, 2015 by EOL − matthew_salkiewicz (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 15, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Patrick Leboulenger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2015 by EOL − acreman (cc-by-nc)

Taken Dec 2, 2008 by EOL − Keir Morse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Oct 22, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 27, 2022 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 27, 2020 by Joseph Antkowiak (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Dec 30, 2014 by EOL − BJ Stacey (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 1, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Patrick LEBOULENGER (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Patrick LEBOULENGER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 22, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 27, 2020 by Joseph Antkowiak (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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3050595)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:285350-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Hirschfeldia incana (L.) Lagr.-Foss.)

Specifications

Growth