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Annual Biennial

Sinapis arvensis
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

charlock

A branched annual reaching 1.5m in height. Stems may be red-tinged, and leaves are dark green, toothed and veined. Four petalled, yellow flowers are borne from April to October are followed by short and cylindrical seed pods with flattened tips

Other common names
carlock
corn mustard
see morefield kale
kedlock
kerlock
kinkle
wild kale
wild mustard
California rape
Synonyms
Brassica arvensis
Brassica kaber

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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0–0.1 metre
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Yellow Green
Summer Yellow Green
Autumn Yellow Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Brassicaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Climbing
Genus

Sinapis are annual herbaceous plants and include species grown for mustard. Reaching a height of between 20cm and 1m, stems are hairy, erect and branched. Leaves are petiolate and between 1 and 4cm long. Bright yellow flowers appear from May through to August/September. The seeds follow and are dark red to brown in colour.

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Eurasia

How to grow

Cultivation

Occurs naturally on arable and waste ground. Provides a larval food source for butterflies and seed is a food source for birds

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Wildflower meadow
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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