Thlaspi arvense
L.
Field Pennycress
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iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Rob Lang, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Rob Lang, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
Source: WikipediaThlaspi arvense, known by the common name field pennycress, is a flowering plant in the cabbage family Brassicaceae. It is native to Eurasia, and is a common weed throughout much of North America and its home.
Description
A cabbage family herb. It is an annual plant. It grows up to 60 cm tall and spreads 1 m wide. The stem is erect and angular. The lower leaves are oval or sword shaped with teeth. These leaves have leaf stalks. The upper leaves clasp the stem at their base. The flowers are white and small. They are in long heads. The fruit is a pod. It is flattened.
Edible Uses
Young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, but must be harvested before the plant flowers or they become very bitter. Even at their best, the leaves have a somewhat bitter flavour and aroma that is not to everyone's taste. They can be added in small quantities to salads, cooked in soups, or used as a potherb — the flavour resembles mustard with a hint of onion. The leaves are notably high in protein for a leafy green; dried leaves contain 54.2g protein per 100g, along with 33.1g carbohydrate and a remarkable 1900mg vitamin C per 100g dry weight. The seed can be ground into a powder and used as a mustard substitute, or sprouted and added to salads.
Traditional Uses
The tender shoots are cooked as a vegetable. The water is changed 1 or 2 times. They are also cooked in stir fries and used for making pickles. The leaves are eaten with oil and salt. The seeds are used as a condiment. They are used in soups and in sausages.
Medicinal Uses
The plant is antirheumatic and diuretic. The seed is a tonic, and both seed and young shoots are considered beneficial for the eyes. In Tibetan medicine, the seeds are regarded as having an acrid taste and cooling potency; they are used as anti-inflammatory and febrifuge agents in treating pus in the lungs, renal inflammation, appendicitis, and seminal and vaginal discharges. The whole plant is used as an antidote, anti-inflammatory, blood tonic, depurative, diaphoretic, expectorant, febrifuge, and hepatic, and is applied in the treatment of carbuncles, acute appendicitis, intestinal abscess, post-partum pain, dysmenorrhoea, and endometriosis. Large doses can cause a decrease in white blood cells, nausea, and dizziness — use with caution. The plant has broad antibacterial activity, effective against staphylococci and streptococci.
Known Hazards
Use with caution as large doses can cause decreased white blood cells, nausea, and dizziness.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant. In Nepal it grows between 2100-4500 m altitude. It grows in open or shady places along riverbanks. It will grow in most soils and is best in an open, sunny position. It is resistant to drought and frost. In Sichuan. In Yunnan.
Where It Grows
Afghanistan, Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia, Britain, Canada, Central Asia, Chile, China, Colombia, Estonia, Europe*, Himalayas, India, Iraq, Ireland, Japan, Kashmir, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Middle East, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Norway, Pakistan, Russia, Scandinavia, Sikkim, Slovenia, South America, Sweden, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Tibet, Turkmenistan, USA, Uzbekistan, SW Asia, South America,
Cultivation
Plants are grown from seed.
Propagation
Sow seed in situ in March or April.
Other Uses
The seed contains 20–30% of a semi-drying oil, which is used for lighting.
Other Information
It is commonly eaten in Bhutan. It is a cultivated food plant.
Notes
There are about 60 Thlaspi species. It contains sinigrin, an element which reportedly gives the leaves a warm taste. It is high in vitamin C and B2.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Bhaji, Bolsa grande, Bre-ga, Carraspique, Cestika, Cheka-chumu, Common penny cress, Erba storna, Fanweed, Gekha, Jidanhuang, Jucu, Kugen, Ku gan cai, Litterhein, Manlancai, Mithridate mustard, Pengeurt, Stinkweed, Telaspo, Tite, Xi ming
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