Habitat
Type: open woods, hedges
Distribution: throughout northern hemisphere
Prefers: shade

General
Growth type: herb
Cycle: biennial
Height: up to 1 meters
Other: faint garlic smell

Leaf
Shape: heart
Texture: leather
Edge: small round teeth

Flower
Shape: cross
Diameter: small
Arrangement: clusters on top of stalk
Colour:

Seed
Casing: long erect pods
Other: often mouldy before mature

February to April - best March and April - second growth September to October
all year
April to July
June to October

Parts with black and white icons are for non-culinary use

Flavour
Rating and Description:
mild garlic and mustard

How to Consume
raw
cooked

Special preparation
eaten with pods

Nutrition
Vitamin C

Used as ...
Plant: food
condiment ("mustard"), sprouted

Action:
anti-asthmatic, anti-inflammatory, antiscorbutic, antiseptic, diaphoretic, vermifuge, vulnerary

May treat:
internal: bronchitis, asthma, eczema; poultice: ulcers, itching caused by bites and stings

Plant: yellow dye

Collection
best before flowering

Drying
Dry to store

Note
Food for Yellow-tipped Butterfly

Plant parts:
leaf
stem or trunk
sap
root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts
flower
fruit
seed

Parts with black and white icons in the availability section are for non-culinary use

Use:
culinary use
medicinal use
household use

Other:
caution

Glossary of Medicinal Terms and Nutritive Substances

• anti-asthmatic: treats asthma
• anti-inflammatory: reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc. (see also demulcent, emollient)
• antiscorbutic: prevents scurvy, contains Vitamin C
• antiseptic: prevents putrefaction (applied to wounds)
• diaphoretic: promotes perspiration, aids the skin in elimination of toxins
• vermifuge: expels worms from the body (see also anthelmintic)
• vulnerary: promotes healing of wounds (applied externally)