California Coastal Commission, Public Education Program, Upper Newport Bay Plants

Black Mustard (Brassica nigra)

Plant: Non-native weed, erect branching annual reaching 3 to 8 feet high. Cultivated for its seeds which are the source for the condiment. May have been introduced by the Franciscan Padres who scattered them to mark El Camino Real. Very Invasive. Common.
Flowers: Bright yellow, appear on small stems at the ends of the branches
Seed Pod: Narrow, about an inch long, ending in a round beak, pressed against the main stem
Leaf: Lower leaves are parted with a large lobe at the end, 4 to 8 inches long. Upper ones are much smaller.