Sinapis arvensis

Scientific description

Scientific name: Sinapis arvensis
Common name: Wild Mustard
Kingdom: Plants
Syntax: Magnoliophyta
Class: Dicotyledons (Magnoliopsida)
Order: Brassicales
Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Mustard (Sinapis) L.
Species: Sinapis arvensis

Origin:
Native to temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North Africa.

Ecology:
Annual plant, part of a genus including perennial, herbaceous plants native to Europe, West Asia, and North Africa. Common in Greece, considered one of the worst wheat weeds, mainly in lowlands where it grows abundantly.

Description:
Four bright yellow petals over mid-green leaves. Stems with downward-pointing white hairs and red segments at joints. Seedlings have spiny leaves with prominent veins. Basal rosette growth. Lower leaves lobed and toothed, upper leaves alternate, sessile to short-stalked, becoming shorter up the stem. Flowers ~1 cm, cross-shaped arrangement.

Propagation:
Hermaphroditic flowers, can self-pollinate. Pollination by wind or insects.

Usage:
Known to ancient Greeks; Dioscorides called it a glowing plant. Young plants eaten by humans and animals; somewhat harmful when blooming. Medicinal. Sinapis alba seeds produce mustard ("napy" mentioned by Theophrastus).

Creative writing inspired by Sinapis arvensis

Sinapis arvensis — The Legend of the Yellow Star

In the days of ancient Greece, there lived a young shepherdess named Lapsana. She was known for her gentle nature and deep connection to the land. Lapsana roamed the hillsides with her flock, always surrounded by wild plants and flowers, which she loved dearly. Among them was a small, yellow-flowered plant that she cared for above all others—wild mustard.

One summer, a terrible drought struck the land. The streams dried up, the crops withered, and people began to starve. Lapsana, seeing her village suffer, prayed to Demeter, the goddess of the harvest, to save them. Demeter, moved by the girl's sincere love for the earth, appeared before her. The goddess gave her a simple task: to spread the seeds of the wild mustard plant across the barren land.

Without hesitation, Lapsana gathered the tiny mustard seeds and scattered them far and wide. To the amazement of the villagers, the mustard plants flourished in the dry soil, their bright yellow flowers bringing new life to the land. The wild mustard, though humble in appearance, grew rapidly and provided both food and medicine, saving the village from famine.

From that day forward, the wild mustard plant, known as "Sinapis arvensis," became a symbol of resilience and hope. The people named the plant after Lapsana, calling it Λαψάνα in her honor. It became a reminder that even the smallest, most overlooked plant could bring salvation in times of need.

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Authentic Specimen