Where do I find mustard plants?

Question

I am trying to collect species of Mustard Plants, where could I find them? Any distinguishable characteristics? Thanks in advance

Answer 1

Mustard plants are called the "Cruciferae" because their flowers have four petals in the form of a cross.

Answer 2

Are you looking for just the culinary mustards, species in the genus Brassica, or anything in that family (Brassicaceae, otherwise known as the Cruciferae).

Culinary mustard is mostly B, juncea, B. alba and B. nigra --- enter those names at the website http://plants.usda.gov for more information and pictures.  

If you're looking for any crucifers, look for plants with  (usually) yellow, white, purple or pink 4 petalled flowers, with 4 sepals and 6 stamens (two short and four long) and a 2-parted, superior ovary.  The fruits are dry at maturity, and the leaves typically have a peppery or mustardy flavor.  That'll find a large number of that family.

Commonly found members of the Brassicaceae include rock cress, sweet alyssum, turnip, broccoli, kale, kohlrabi, rape, dames' rocket, rutabaga....

Answer 3

Mustard seed plants look a lot like rape plants do.

http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http:...

Garlic mustard is considered a weed species now.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garlic_Must...

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Here is a list of some of the species of mustards.

You should be able to search the names to get an idea of what you are looking for.

BRASSICACEAE Mustard Family    

Arabis modesta Modest rock cress  Steep slopes, cliffs April-May

Arabis modesta ssp. rollins   Dry steep slopes, outcrops March-June

Athysanus pusillus Sandweed  Grassy, open slopes, rocky outcrops March-June

Barbarea orthoceras   Damp meadows, streambanks, moist woods May-September

Barbarea vulgaris Winter-cress Native to Eurasia Disturbed sites April-May

Brassica juncea   Fields, disturbed sites April

Brassica nigra Black mustard Native to Europe Fields, disturbed sites April-June

Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd's-purse Native to Europe Disturbed sites Flowers all year

Cardamine californica var. integrifolia California toothwort, milkmaids  Shaded sites, canyons, woods February-April

Cardamine oligosperma Annual bittercress  Shady banks, creek bottoms March-July

Cardamine pennsylvanica Pennsylvania bittercress  Shady banks, creek bottoms May-June

Cardaria draba Hoary-cress Native to Europe Disturbed sites March-June

Descurainia sophia Tansy-mustard Native to Eurasia Disturbed sites  

Draba verna Whitlow-grass Native to Europe Open or disturbed sites February-May

Erysimum capitatum Wallflower  Many habitats March-July

Guillenia lasiophylla California mustard  Dry, open, sometimes disturbed sites March-June

Hirschfeldia incana Short pod mustard Native to Eurasia Creek bottoms, disturbed sites May-October

Lepidium strictum Peppergrass Native to South America Disturbed sites March-May

Sinapis arvensis Charlock Native to Eurasia Disturbed sites March-October

Sisymbrium altissimum Tumble-mustard Native to Europe Disturbed sites, fields May-July

Sisymbrium officinale Hedge-mustard Native to Europe Disturbed sites April-July

Thysanocarpus curvipes Lace pod  Slopes, moist meadows March-May

Tropidocarpum gracile Keel-pod  Grassy slopes and open areas March-May

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There are quite a few variants of cultivated species that are not listed here.

The names Rocket, Rape, Cress, and Greens and chinese cabbage usually refer to mustard species.

Cabbage is related to mustards, so are beets and tunips..