Treacle mustard
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Treacle mustard (Erysimum cheiranthoides) has nothing to do with treacle. The name is a corruption of the Greek “theriaki” which means an antidote to bites from animals and insects, because this was a common use of the plant during the 16th century.
Another name for treacle mustard is wormseed mustard, because its seeds were formerly used as a treatment for intestinal worms in children.
The plant is found on both waste and cultivated ground, more commonly in southern England than further north.
It grows with one or more branched, leafy stems growing erect to a maximum height of 36 inches (90 centimetres). The lower leaves grow on stalks but the upper ones do not. The leaves have smooth edges or shallow teeth.
The small yellow flowers grow to form a neat ring with a flat-topped flower-head.
The downy seed-pods are square in cross-section.
Treacle mustard is closely related to the Siberian wallflower, which is the variety of wallflower often planted in British gardens. It is only a distant relative of the common wallflower, which grows wild in some parts of the country.
Another name for treacle mustard is wormseed mustard, because its seeds were formerly used as a treatment for intestinal worms in children.
The plant is found on both waste and cultivated ground, more commonly in southern England than further north.
It grows with one or more branched, leafy stems growing erect to a maximum height of 36 inches (90 centimetres). The lower leaves grow on stalks but the upper ones do not. The leaves have smooth edges or shallow teeth.
The small yellow flowers grow to form a neat ring with a flat-topped flower-head.
The downy seed-pods are square in cross-section.
Treacle mustard is closely related to the Siberian wallflower, which is the variety of wallflower often planted in British gardens. It is only a distant relative of the common wallflower, which grows wild in some parts of the country.
carmen3521 › Good to know?
Deliana › Useful article! Thanks for sharing, my friend!
