Brassica tournefortii aka Asian Mustard

Brassica tournefortii is an annual herb in the mustard family. Names include Sahara mustard, Asian mustard, and pale cabbage. Its native range spans the eastern Mediterranean and western Asia. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. It grows on dunes, roadsides, and fields near the coast. It also invades desert flats, washes, and dunes in North America.

Plants reach about 2 feet [0.6 metres] tall. Their spread can reach 3.3 feet [1 metre]. Growth starts with a dense rosette of basal leaves. These leaves have pinnate divisions and short, stiff hairs. The hairs give the leaves a rough feel. The plant later forms tall stems with many branches. Upper leaves are smaller and have fewer divisions. Some attach straight to the stem without a stalk. The herb also has a strong scent.

Yellow flowers have four petals and attract insect pollinators. Each flower has both male and female organs. The plant can supply early nectar for desert insects. Its fruit is a narrow seedpod called a silique. Pods are smooth, round in cross-section, and have a short beak. The beak holds no seeds. Each pod contains one row of small, round, yellow-brown seeds. Pods measure about 1–2.6 inches long.

For cultivation, give this mustard sun and soil that drains well. It suits sandy or loamy soil and prefers moist conditions. It accepts mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline soil. PFAF lists USDA hardiness zones 8–11. Sow seed straight into the growing site in spring. Its food value comes with a serious weed risk. In the Sonoran and Mojave deserts, it forms dense stands. These stands change the mix of wildflowers. They also reduce habitat quality for insects and small mammals. Few native herbivores eat the rough, pungent foliage.

Leaves, young shoots, roots, and seeds have food uses. Cook the leaves and young shoots. Young roots are mild, while older roots become tough and woody. Seeds can be eaten raw, toasted, or ground. They also yield an edible oil. Raw leaves may irritate sensitive mouths and throats because of their hairs. Boiling or blanching helps reduce this problem. Young plants sometimes serve as livestock forage. PFAF records no known medicinal uses. The supplied sources give no specific pest or disease problems.