Transcript The Mustard Family Brassicacea/Cruciferae

The Mustard Family
Brassicacea/Cruciferae
•Examples of the Family: mustard, horseradish,
wasabi, capers, radish, turnip, canola, rapseed oil,
cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower Brussels sprouts, wintercress
To identify:
•Mustard flowers have 4 petals
(often shaped like an X or H
and yellow, green purple or
white) with 6 stamens *4 tall
and 2 short*
•4 sepals that are usually
green
Facts: All species of the mustard
family are edible
•The everyday mustards you eat
are made from the seeds of the
black mustard
•The Family’s Scientific Name
Cruciferae signifies “cross bearing”
because the four petals of the
mustard flowers resemble a cross
(x-shape)
Patterns:
•The structure of the flowers
is very similar amongst the
family
•Most species are similar to
the radish (weedy)
•Species are usually found in
areas where weeds grow
such as a garden or
construction site
•Mustard seed pods vary in
shape in size but always form
the same pattern on the stalk
of the flower in a raceme.
*Easy way to identify a
mustard species*
•Similar taste and smell
amongst all the different
species
http://plantspecies.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_mustard_family
http://www.wildflowersofontario.ca/mustard.html
http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Public%20Tour%20Stuff/Tour%
20Announcements/Forest.4.25.10.html