Flower ID: IMG_7309.JPG-06-30-2021 Flower name (scientific): Brassica nigra (Linnaeus) W. D. J. Koch PY: 1833. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) BRAS-ee-ka NY-gruh Flower name (common): Black Mustard Family name (common): Mustard Family name (scientific): Brassicaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: Latin for cabbage. The vegetable cabbage is in the same genus as black mustard. Specific epithet: From the Latin niger meaning black, describing the dark brown to black seeds. Common name origin: The black or brown seeds are used in cookery for its pungency and to make the condiment mustard. Flower description: Size: 0.2 to 0.6 inches (0.5 to 1.5 cm) Petal count: 4 Color: yellow Other: flower arrangement, Raceme Plant description: Size: 12 to 80 inches (30 to 203 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple and lobed Size: Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, lyrate-pinnatifid (FNA), lower: pinnately lobed and obovate in outline, upper: lanceolate, broadly elliptic (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Introduced Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon Bloom time (typical): June to September Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Annual Habitat: Fields, disturbed areas, roadsides, sun. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Sinapis arvensis (Wild Mustard, Field Mustard, Charlock) has some similarity. Sinapis arvensis is typically a smaller plant, usually 12 to 39 inches (30 to 100 cm) tall, but can range up to 83 inches (211 cm). The flower sizes for Brassica nigra and Sinapis arvensis can be similar, but the petals for Sinapis arvensis are usually decribed as bright yellow. Sinapis arvensis may have a red or purple colored patch where a new stem forms from an older stem. The fruit pods of Sinapis arvensis typically angle away from the stem, whereas those for Brassica nigra are typically appressed to the stem. Ethnobotany: The Meskwaki used the powdered seed of this plant as a treatment for head colds (Smith, p. 219, 1928). Latitude: 44.801245 Longitude: -91.510435 Altitude: 251.30 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Eau Claire, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Pierce, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Shawano, Sheboygan, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waushara, Winnebago) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (AB, BC, MB, NB, NF, NS, ON, PE, QC, SK) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na Wetland Status (NC): Not listed Wetland Status (MW): Not listed