Brassica tournefortii

Asian mustard

wild turnip, African mustard, Tournefort's birdrape

Did you know?:

In addition to having its seeds eaten and spread by animals, Brassica tournefortii can disperse its seeds after it dies and breaks off at the ground. It then tumbles across the landscape pushed by the wind, releasing seeds. The seeds have a sticky gel activated by rain that allows them to catch onto animals and vehicles for even longer distance dispersion.

Photo Credit:

What does this species look like?

Asian mustard is an erect, annual, herbaceous plant growing 3 to 40 inches tall, and is frequently stoutly branched. Its small, pale yellow flowers appear toward the top of the branches in loose clusters. Each flower has both male and female parts, and can be pollinated by insects or self-pollinated.

Asian mustard is an invasive plant that grows in lowland desert habitats along sandy-gravelly washes and roadsides, in abandoned fields, and on dunes and alkaline flats, sandy soils, and sites that accumulate moisture. It is drought tolerant.

Why observe this species?

Asian mustard is a USA-NPN regional plant species. Regional species are ecologically or economically important and are distributed more locally than calibration species. The NPN integrates these observations to better understand plant responses within the different geographic regions of the nation. In addition, this species is potentially invasive. Observations on its phenology will provide valuable information toward understanding its potential for spread and for its control. The NPN does not promote planting or cultivation of this or any invasive plant.

Where is this species found?

U.S. States:

AZ, CA, NM, NV, TX

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Special Considerations for Observing

If drought seems to be the cause of leaf senescence for a plant, please make a comment about it for that observation.

Which phenophases should I observe?

Leaves	Do you see...? *Initial growth* New growth of the plant is visible, either from above-ground buds with green tips, or new green or white shoots breaking through the soil surface. Growth is considered "initial" on each bud or shoot until the first leaf has fully unfolded. More... *Leaves* One or more live fully unfolded leaves are visible on the plant. For seedlings, consider only true leaves and do not count the one or two small, round leaves (cotyledons) that are found on the stem almost immediately after the seedling emerges. Do not include dried or dead leaves. More...
Flowers	Do you see...? *Flowers* One or more fresh flowers or flower heads (inflorescences) are visible on the plant. Flower heads include many small flowers that usually do not open all at once. Do not include wilted or dried flowers that remain on the plant, or heads whose flowers have all wilted or dried. How many fresh flowers or flower heads are present? Less than 3 3 to 10 More than 10 More... *Open flowers* One or more open fresh flowers are visible on the plant. Flowers are considered "open" when the reproductive parts (male stamens or female pistils) are visible between unfolded or open flower parts. Do not include wilted or dried flowers that remain on the plant. How many fresh flowers are open? Less than 3 3 to 10 More than 10 More... *Pollen release* One or more flowers on the plant release pollen when gently shaken or blown. How many flowers release pollen? Less than 3 3 to 10 More than 10 More...
Fruits	Do you see...? *Fruits* One or more fresh fruits are visible on the plant. How many fresh fruits are present? Less than 3 3 to 10 More than 10 More... *Ripe fruits* One or more ripe fruits are visible on the plant. How many fruits are ripe? Less than 3 3 to 10 More than 10 More... *Recent fruit drop* One or more fresh mature fruits or seeds have dropped or been removed from the plant since your last visit. Do not include obviously immature fruits that have dropped before ripening, such as in a heavy rain or wind. How many mature fruits have dropped? Less than 3 3 to 10 More than 10 More...

Leaves

Do you see...?

Initial growth
New growth of the plant is visible, either from above-ground buds with green tips, or new green or white shoots breaking through the soil surface. Growth is considered "initial" on each bud or shoot until the first leaf has fully unfolded. More...

Leaves
One or more live fully unfolded leaves are visible on the plant. For seedlings, consider only true leaves and do not count the one or two small, round leaves (cotyledons) that are found on the stem almost immediately after the seedling emerges. Do not include dried or dead leaves. More...

Flowers

Do you see...?

Flowers
One or more fresh flowers or flower heads (inflorescences) are visible on the plant. Flower heads include many small flowers that usually do not open all at once. Do not include wilted or dried flowers that remain on the plant, or heads whose flowers have all wilted or dried.

How many fresh flowers or flower heads are present?

Less than 3

3 to 10

More than 10

More...

Open flowers
One or more open fresh flowers are visible on the plant. Flowers are considered "open" when the reproductive parts (male stamens or female pistils) are visible between unfolded or open flower parts. Do not include wilted or dried flowers that remain on the plant.

How many fresh flowers are open?

Less than 3

3 to 10

More than 10

More...

Pollen release
One or more flowers on the plant release pollen when gently shaken or blown.

How many flowers release pollen?

Less than 3

3 to 10

More than 10

More...

Fruits

Do you see...?

Fruits
One or more fresh fruits are visible on the plant.

How many fresh fruits are present?

Less than 3

3 to 10

More than 10

More...

Ripe fruits
One or more ripe fruits are visible on the plant.

How many fruits are ripe?

Less than 3

3 to 10

More than 10

More...

Recent fruit drop
One or more fresh mature fruits or seeds have dropped or been removed from the plant since your last visit. Do not include obviously immature fruits that have dropped before ripening, such as in a heavy rain or wind.

How many mature fruits have dropped?

Less than 3

3 to 10

More than 10

More...

For more information

USDA PLANTS profile for Asian mustard (USDA Symbol: BRTO)
ITIS information for Asian mustard (ITIS TSN: 23064)

Acknowledgments

Observe Plants & Animals