The Mustard Family

1. Facts and Stats: • 375 Genera Worldwide • About 55 found in North America • About 3,200 species • Most members are weedy species with short life cycles. • Formerly known as Cruciferae (note the irregular ending) because of the four petals in a cross shape. • Many members are frost tolerant (can take a light frost) • Leaves usually alternate up the stem • Mostly grown in temperate regions, but are found all over the world. FUN FACT Classification: Domain: Eukarya Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Sub-Class: Dilleniidae Order: Capparales Family: Brassicaceae All Species of Mustard are edible! Broccoli (Brassica oleracea) Rapeseed Field (Brassica napus) The Mustard Family • What are some famous Genera within Brassicaceae? • Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Kale (Brassica oleracea) • Turnip, Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa) • Common Radish(Raphanus sativus) • Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) • Rapeseed(Brassica napus) Brassicaceae -4 petals -usually arranged like “X” or “H” -4 sepals -2 tall stamen -2 short stamen -Seed Pods - Radial or raceme(spiral staircase) pattern of the seedpods on the flower stalk Defining Characteristics Commercial Mustard is typically made from the seeds of the black mustard mixed with vinegar. Cardamine flexuosa • So Why is the Mustard family important? • some plants of major economic importance, including familiar vegetables, like broccoli and cabbage Cardamine pratensis