Brassica rapa

Brassica rapa_Birdsrape mustard_flowers_JM DiTomaso
Photo: Joseph DiTomaso

Synonyms: Brassica campestris L.

Common names: field mustard; turnip

Brassica rapa (birdsrape mustard, field mustard) is a winter annual herb (family Brassicaceae) located throughout California. Birdsrape is resistant to frost and mild freezes and is an aggressive plant that grows profusely and may produce allelopathic chemicals that inhibit germination of native plants. Buried seeds can survive 50 years or more.

Cal-IPC Rating: Limited?

CDFA Rating: None?

Assessment(s)

Plant Assessment Form - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.

Weed Management Notes

  • Management Notes - Information on management techniques and effectiveness from the University of California Cooperative Extension’s Weed Research & Information Center.

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

There are no newsletter articles associated with this species yet.

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

There are no Symposium presentations associated with this species yet.

Other Brassica rapa Information

  • CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
  • Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
  • CalWeedMapper - Distribution map of this species in California with ability to determine regional priorities.
  • EDDMapS - Distribution of this species in North America.
  • Jepson Interchange - Information on this plant's taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
  • USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.
  • Additional photos

    Brassica rapa_flowers and fruits_Ron Vanderhoff_cropped
    Brassica rapa (field mustard) flowers and fruits. Photo: Ron Vanderhoff
    Brassica rapa_flowers_RonVanderhoff_cropped
    Brassica rapa (field mustard) flowers. Photo: Ron Vanderhoff
    Brassica rapa_leaf and stem_Ron Vanderhoff_cropped
    Brassica rapa (field mustard) leaf and stem. Photo: Ron Vanderhoff