field mustard

This is the mustard plant from which many types of vegetable have been bred - from turnips to 'oriental leaves' of heading, bunching and flowering varieties, but importantly, the oilseed plants normally seen in fields. It looks very similar to other wild brassicas, with evergreen leaves and yellow flowers. It is extremely variable but the lower leaves are larger, on stalks, often with several leaflets and a wavy or toothed edge, whilst the upper leaves are small, stalkless and narrow. The flowers become long green pods with a long pointed tip, containing dark brown/black seeds. All parts are edible when young