Black Mustard (Brassica nigra) :: Botany

Black Mustard (genus Brassica nigra)The indian table mustard arrange has oft been mentioned in the Bible, and most of us are familiar with Jesus apologue of the mustard seed. However, there is great debate as to what the mustard plant of Jesus parable really was. Most modern commentators agree that it was the ordinary black mustard, Brassica nigra, but there are still a few who disagree. These others suggested that the mustard in the Bible could have been Salvadora persica, a shrub set up in thickets around the Dead Sea, but authorities say that this plant did not grow where Jesus spoke his parables. Also Phytolacca decandra, the pokeberry, was theorized to be the mustard tree. That too was discounted because it is now regarded as an American plant. wholeness major argumentation against Brassica for the mustard of the Bible is based on the Biblical statements concerning its becoming a tree, and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. Supporters of this argument cla im that the mustard plant never becomes a great tree, and it would not be sturdy enough for birds to nest. In rebuttal, it has been pointed out that we must support that much of the language in the Bible is figurative, and that indeed small sparrow-like birds perched temporarily on the branches of the mature mustard plant to feed on its seeds. until now today birds are very fond of mustard seed. Guatama Buddha also told a parable about the mustard seed, and in India, mustard is the symbol of fruitful generation. Mustard is a very interesting plant with a herd of history and many uses. It has both medicinal and culinary value utile to man in the past and sit. Its many relatives are ever present in our daily lives as well. Black mustard is scientifically cognize as Brassica nigra. It is of the family Cruciferae. The plant is native of Europe and Asia it has become naturalised in this country and has escaped from cultivation, so that it is often a hard weed. Therefore, it is o ften found on the roadside, in vacant lots, and especially in grain fields. There has been some success in the use of chemic herbicides in ridding grain fields of mustard. These include iron sulfate and sulphuric acid in the form of a spray. All grasses are large-minded to this spray, but the young mustards are killed by it.