Wild Mustard (Common Mustard)
Sinapis arvensis (also Brassica kaber) · Herbaceous Annual (Not a tree species)
Plant Family
Brassicaceae
Tree Category
Wildflower / Agricultural Weed
Variety / Cultivar
Wild phenotype
Hardiness Zones
Commonly grows in USDA zones 3-11 as a summer annual.
About This Tree
While not a tree, this is a branched, upright herbaceous plant. It features terminal clusters of bright yellow flowers. The stems are often bristly at the base and have a purplish tint at the nodes/joints. It grows rapidly to reach maturity in weeks.
Leaf Characteristics
Lower leaves are petioled, deeply lobed or pinnatifid (lyrate); upper leaves are smaller, sessile (stalkless), more lanceolate with toothed margins. Color is medium green to purplish near the base.
Bark Characteristics
Does not possess true bark; features green or reddish-purple herbaceous stems that are stiff, ribbed, and occasionally hairy (hispid).
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, North Africa, and Central Asia; naturalized globally including North America
Growing Season
Spring to early summer flowering; completes life cycle from seed to seed in one season
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred; moderate water needs but highly adaptable to dry, disturbed soils and poor drainage.
Mature Size
Height: 1-3 feet (30-100 cm); Spread: 6-12 inches; very fast growth rate; annual lifespan.
Special Characteristics
Highly invasive in some regions; edible leaves when young; high seed longevity (seeds can remain viable in soil for decades).
Wildlife & Ecology
Attracts generalist pollinators including honey bees, hoverflies, and butterflies; host plant for the Cabbage White butterfly larvae (Pieris rapae).