Smooth mustard (Sisymbrium erysimoides, Fl. Atlant. 2: 84 (1798))

Family: Brassicaceae

Author: Desf.

Bibliography: Fl. Atlant. 2: 84 (1798)

Year: 1798

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Sisymbrium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, Medit. to N. Tanzania and Pakistan

Description

Smooth mustard, botanically known as Sisymbrium erysimoides, is a noteworthy member of the Brassicaceae family. This plant species is distinguished by its smooth, slender morphology and its adaptability to diverse climates and regions.

First described in 1798 by the renowned botanist Desf., as documented in “Fl. Atlant. 2: 84,” Smooth mustard has since captivated the interest of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike. The plant’s natural distribution spans several distinct geographic regions, including Macaronesia, the Mediterranean basin, northern Tanzania, and Pakistan, making it a subject of considerable botanical significance.

Smooth mustard thrives in a variety of environmental conditions, demonstrating a remarkable ecological versatility. In Macaronesia, the plant can be found growing in unique island habitats, while in the Mediterranean region, it populates areas known for their hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Its presence in northern Tanzania and Pakistan further underscores its adaptability to different climatic zones.

The Brassicaceae family, to which Smooth mustard belongs, is renowned for its economic and ecological importance. Members of this family include a variety of edible plants and are often characterized by their distinctive floral structures and pungent-tasting leaves. Smooth mustard exemplifies the family’s adaptive traits, possessing qualities that enable it to succeed in diverse environments.

Through its widespread distribution and noteworthy adaptability, Smooth mustard serves as an excellent example of the ecological plasticity and resilience exhibited by many members of the Brassicaceae family. Its continued study could provide valuable insights into plant adaptation and survival across varying climates and geographies.

Common Names

Eng: french rocket, mediterranean rocket, smooth mustard
Fra: vélar
Swe: fransksenap
Cym: roced ffrainc
En: Smooth mustard, French rocket, Mediterranean rocket
Ar: ثواط (ثُواط)، سليخ (سَليخ)، السليح (السِليح)
Fr: Vélar, Sisymbre raide, Sisymbre ronciné, Vélar ronciné
De: Schöterich-Rauke
He: תודרה מעובה
It: Erba Cornacchia biancastra, Erba-cornacchia biancastra
Sv: Fransksenap
Cy: Roced Ffrainc

Synonyms

• Sisymbrium rigidulum (Lag.)
• Sisymbrium erysimoides var. ovalifolium (Webb ex Pit.)
• Sisymbrium erysimoides var. arenarium (Pit.)
• Sisymbrium zeae (Spreng.)
• Sisymbrium vilaenadalis (Sennen)
• Sisymbrium erysimoides var. xerophilum (E.Fourn.)
• Velarum erysimoides ((Desf.) V.I.Dorof.)
• Sisymbrium erysimoides subsp. vilaenadalis ((Sennen) Sennen)
• Sisymbrium nitidulum (Lag. ex Spreng.)
• Sisymbrium nitidum (Zea ex Desf.)
• Norta erysimoides ((Desf.) Britton)
• Velarum vilaenadalis ((Sennen) V.I.Dorof.)
• Hesperis erysimodes ((Desf.) Kuntze)
• Pachypodium erysimoides ((Desf.) Webb & Berthel.)

Distribution

• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Chad (native)
• Djibouti (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Gulf States (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Kuwait (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Oman (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Socotra (native)
• Somalia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Western Sahara (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

© 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.

Fruit

Taken Jun 2, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 1, 2018 by katerina dimitrovska (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Patrick Leboulenger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 4, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Patrick Leboulenger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2022 by Paty (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 29, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Patrick LEBOULENGER (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Feb 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 1, 2018 by katerina dimitrovska (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 4, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Patrick Leboulenger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 29, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Patrick LEBOULENGER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 19, 2018 by Santiago Lara (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 29, 2019 by Alfredo Marín Camacho (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Feb 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Feb 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Mar 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Ori Fragman-Sapir (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 29, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Patrick LEBOULENGER (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3046765)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:289337-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Sisymbrium erysimoides Desf.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth