Southern warty-cabbage (Bunias erucago, Sp. Pl.: 670 (1753))

Family: Brassicaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 670 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Bunias

Vegetable: False

Observations: Medit. to Switzerland

Description

The Southern warty-cabbage, known scientifically as Bunias erucago, is a fascinating and historically significant plant species first documented in Carl Linnaeus’ seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753. This member of the Brassicaceae family has garnered attention for its distinct physical characteristics and its adaptation to diverse environments.

Originating primarily from the Mediterranean region and extending its range to Switzerland, Bunias erucago showcases a remarkable ability to thrive in a variety of climatic conditions. The plant is particularly noted for its robust, warty surface, which gives it a unique texture and appearance, hence its common name.

The Southern warty-cabbage is an herbaceous perennial, typically characterized by its fleshy leaves and yellow flowers. These blossoms appear in dense clusters, making the plant a noticeable feature in its natural habitat. Its growth and reproductive patterns are well-suited to the warm, temperate climates of the Mediterranean, yet it has also adapted to the cooler environments of the Swiss landscape.

One of the key habitats for Bunias erucago includes disturbed soils, often found in fields, along roadsides, and in abandoned agricultural land. This resilience and adaptability signify its invasive potential, which is both a point of interest and concern for botanists and ecologists studying plant migration and colonization patterns.

In the context of traditional uses, Bunias erucago has been employed in various regions for medicinal purposes, although such practices have diminished over time. Its pungent taste and semi-warty texture have not made it a popular choice in culinary applications, unlike some of its more palatable relatives within the Brassicaceae family.

Research into Bunias erucago continues to be relevant, particularly in the fields of ecology, plant biology, and environmental science. Understanding its growth habits, reproductive strategies, and ecological impact provides valuable insights into managing invasive species and preserving native plant communities.

The study of the Southern warty-cabbage remains an essential component of the broader exploration of Mediterranean flora, offering a window into the complex interplay between plant species and their environments. As we deepen our knowledge of Bunias erucago, we not only appreciate its distinctive characteristics but also the intricate balance of nature it represents.

Common Names

Dan: ager-takkeklap
Eng: crested wartycabbage, southern warty-cabbage, crested bunias
Deu: echte zackenschote, flügel-zackenschötchen, geflügeltes zackenschötchen
Hun: csípős szümcső
Ces: rukevník roketovitý
Swe: vingdådra
Nld: gevleugelde hardvrucht
En: Southern warty-cabbage, Crested wartycabbage, Crested Bunias, Corn Rocket
Cs: Rukevník roketovitý
Da: Ager-takkeklap
Nl: Gevleugelde hardvrucht
Fi: Etelänukonpalko
Fr: Bunias fausse roquette, Roquette des champs, Herbe aux carrelets, Masse-au-bedeau, Bunias fausse-roquette
De: Echte Zackenschote, Flügel-Zackenschötchen, Geflügeltes Zackenschötchen, Acker-Zackenschötchen, Flügel-Zackenschote
Hu: Csípős szümcső
It: Cascellore comune
Es: Mostacilla
Sv: Vingdådra

Synonyms

• Myagrum clavatum (Lam.)
• Bunias aspera (Retz.)
• Erucago campestris (Desv.)
• Erucago brachyptera (Fourr.)
• Erucago arvensis (Fourr.)
• Erucago aspera (Hornem.)
• Myagrum asperum (Poir.)
• Myagrum erucago (Crantz)
• Bunias arvensis (Jord.)
• Bunias erucago subsp. macroptera ((Rchb.) Murb.)
• Erucago glandulosa (Röhl.)
• Bunias erucago var. ambigua (Rouy & Foucaud)
• Bunias erucago var. arvensis ((Jord.) Rouy & Foucaud)
• Bunias erucago var. brachyptera ((Jord.) Rouy & Foucaud)
• Bunias aspera var. cristata ((Desv.) DC.)
• Bunias erucago f. arvensis ((Jord.) Bolzon)
• Bunias tricornis (Lange)
• Bunias erucago var. macroptera ((Rchb.) Rouy & Foucaud)
• Bunias vulgaris (Andrz. ex Steud.)
• Bunias macroptera (Rchb.)
• Myagrum orientale (Sieber ex Steud.)
• Erucago runcinata (Hornem.)
• Bunias erucago var. echinata (Boiss.)
• Bunias dubia (Zapał.)
• Erucago monspeliensis (Cav.)
• Erucago monspeliaca (J.St.-Hil.)
• Erucago macroptera (Fourr.)
• Bunias cristata (Desv.)
• Crucifera erucago (E.H.L.Krause)
• Erucago erucago ((L.) Huth)
• Erucago dentata (Moench)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Austria (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Virginia (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.

Flower

Taken May 12, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 13, 2022 by Canca (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 31, 2021 by Francois Mansour (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2019 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 3, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 19, 2009 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2022 by Pilar Calatayud (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2022 by Pierre-Guy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2020 by Dabronzo Carlo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2019 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Nov 21, 2022 by Corrado (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2021 by Ulmaria Filipendula (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 13, 2022 by Canca (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2019 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 31, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 9, 2020 by Nicolas Demay (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2021 by Ulysse Remars (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 16, 2022 by Javier Gómez Lanz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2022 by Hélène Illaire (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 1999 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 1999 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3050357)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:279698-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Bunias erucago L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 7