1. Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) The Mustard Family

2. Brassicaceae 375 genera/3200 species
Herbs with alternate, simple leaves
Mustard oils present (taste it!)
Flowers perfect, actinomorphic,
usually in racemes

3. Flowers perfect, 4-partate,
usually yellow or white

4. Ca 4 Co 4 A 4+2 G 2
stamens tetradynamous

5. Fruit a silique
or a silicle

6. Lunaria (honesty or moneywort)
replum
septum
Lunaria (honesty or moneywort)

7. Economic Importance
Brassica oleracea

8. Economic Importance
mustard
wasabi
horseradish

9. Local Flora Arabis lyrata Lyre-leaved rock cress
Capsella bursa-pastoris
Shepherd’s purse
Hesperis matronalis
Dame’s rocket

10. Local Flora Brassica rapa Lepidium campestre field mustard
pepper grass

11. BRASSICACEAE
(Cruciferae)
Mustard Family
Ca4 Co4 A4+2 G2
375 genera/3200 species
Recognition Characters:
Annual or perennial herbs
Leaves alternate, simple
Flowers perfect, actinomorphic, usually in racemes
Calyx and corolla 4-partate, the latter usually yellow or white
Androecium of 6 stamens, tetradynamous
Ovary superior, gynoecium of 2 fused carpels
Fruit a silicle or silique