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Brassica nigra  (L.) W. D. J. Koch
Black mustard
© 2021 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2019 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2019 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2022 Randy Huey
© 2022 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2021 Cynthia Powell
© 2022 Randy Huey
© 2020 Diane Etchison
© 2022 Randy Huey
© 2022 Nathan Dendinger
© 2018 Brian Charles
© 2019 Michelle Karle
© 2023 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2019 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2015 Mary Merriman
© 2021 Vivian Krug Cotton
© 2020 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2022 Nathan Dendinger
Brassica nigra is an annual herb that is not native to California.
Cal-IPC rating: moderate
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Observation Search
~5589 records in California
redone or more occurrences
within a 7.5-minute quadrangle
DJJJASONAFMM

Bloom Period
Genus: Brassica
Family: Brassicaceae  
Category: angiosperm  
PLANTS group:Dicot
Jepson eFlora section: eudicot

Toxicity: Possible skin irritation from touching the underground parts or seed of this plant.
Name Status:
Accepted by JEF + PLANTS

Alternate Names:
PLANTSSinapis nigra
POWOMutarda nigra
Information about  Brassica nigra from other sources

Originated From Spain: Tradition has it the padres brought wild mustard seeds with them from Spain to the New World. Traveling from mission to mission, exploring California, the padres scattered the wild mustard seeds along the path to create a golden pathway home. When the explorers returned in spring the mustard plants flowered. The blooms were a bright mustard yellow color.


Suggested Citation
Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation, with data contributed by public and private institutions and individuals. [web application]. 2025. The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available: https://www.calflora.org/   (Accessed: 03/28/2025).