Wild Mustard

(Brassica campestris)
 
wild mustard
Wild Mustard on the Main Post.
Will Elder, NPS
 

Origin Of Genus Name: Brassica is Latin for "cabbage."

Presidio Locations: Found in coastal prairie and dune scrub.

Range In State: Throughout California.

Description: This exotic perennial from Europe and Asia has clusters of tiny, yellow flowers with four petals. Upright, sparingly branched stems have blade-like leaves and can reach 3 to 6 feet in height. Wild Mustard is thought to have been introduced to California by the Franciscan Padres who scattered the seeds along the Camino Real to make the road easier to find. Blooms January to May.

Back to "The Outsiders" List

Or check out:

Native Wildflowers Page

 

Did You Know?

Fort Point, once called "Fort Winfield Scott"

In 1882, the fort now known as Fort Point was given the name "Fort Winfield Scott", a name it retained for four years before being downgraded to a sub-post of the Presidio. In 1912, the name was reused for the new coast artillery post at the Presidio, today's Fort Scott.