Brassica rapa aka Field Mustard

Brassica rapa, a plant species with various cultivated forms, is known for its versatility in culinary and agricultural applications. Some of its popular forms include turnips, napa cabbage, bomdong, bok choy, and rapini. Additionally, Brassica rapa subsp. oleifera, commonly referred to as rape or field mustard, is an oilseed with several aliases such as bird's rape and keblock. The oil extracted from its seeds is commonly known as rapeseed oil, but can also be called canola oil for food-grade purposes or colza oil for non-food applications. In Canada, canola oil is primarily sourced from Brassica rapa and Brassica napus, while Brassica juncea, also known as brown mustard, is a less significant crop for oil production. Bred specifically for the British climate, this variety of Brassica rapa is characterized by its slower bolting and extended cropping season. It features broad white stems and deep green leaves. Field mustard, belonging to the mustard family (Brassicaceae), is an upright winter annual or biennial plant. It typically forms basal rosettes until flowering stems develop in the second year. With a height ranging from 1 to 3 (or 4) feet, it has a many-branched stem and foliage that is generally hairless, sometimes with a whitish film. The lower leaves can grow up to 12 inches in length, featuring a large central lobe and one to four pairs of smaller side lobes. Upper leaves are smaller, non-lobed, and have a pointed tip and widened, clasping base. Bright yellow flowers cluster at the tops of the stems, each with four petals measuring ¼ to ½ inch long. Field mustard blooms from January to September and can exhibit invasive tendencies in certain regions of the Western United States and Canada.