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Brassica juncea Head-leaf Mustard Group
| Family Name: | Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) |
| Common Name: | Gai Choy, Indian Mustard, Chinese Mustard, 芥菜, 包心芥菜 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Rounded |
Biogeography
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Foliage | Its leaves are large and the bases are thick and wrapped together. |
|---|---|
| Cultivation | It grows best with a temperature between 15 - 25 °C. It is attacked by the diamond-back moth (Plutella xylostella) which can be treated with Bacillus thuringiensis. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Leaves Food (Fruit or Vegetable): The young tender leaves can be used in salads. Mature leaves are cooked in stir fries, or can be used in soups and stews. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Small Gardens |
|---|---|
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Pest(s) | Chewing Insects |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green - Light Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Raised / Sunken Veins, Thick |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Rosulate / Rosette |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Rounded |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Cruciform / Cross-shaped |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
| Inflorescence Size | 60 cm |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Black, Brown |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Several (11-20) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 33593 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 8007 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
