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Black Mustard
Black Mustard botanical plate
Field guide plate · click to zoom

Black Mustard

Brassica nigra
In the United States: Introduced · also called black mustard, wild mustard

Honeybees forage on black mustard for its plentiful nectar and protein-rich pollen, aiding spring colony expansion and surplus honey production in temperate climates. Flowers open progressively from lower to upper stems, offering a steady bloom window of several weeks during late spring and summer. It thrives in disturbed, nutrient-rich soils but can self-sow prolifically, necessitating control to avoid dense patches.

Nectarhigh
Pollenhigh
Bloom (US) May–August
Duration~2 months
TypePerennial
Sunfull
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