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Warty Cabbage

Bunias orientalis

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Brassicales
Family:
Brassicaceae (Cabbage)
Also in this family:
Alpine Pennycress, Alpine Rock-cress, American Wintercress, Annual Wall Rocket, Austrian Yellowcress, Awlwort, Bastard Cabbage, Black Mustard, Bristol Rock-cress, Charlock, Common Scurvygrass, Common Whitlowgrass, Coralroot, Creeping Yellowcress, Cuckooflower, Dame's-violet, Danish Scurvygrass, Dittander, Early Wintercress, Eastern Rocket, English Scurvygrass, Evergreen Candytuft, False London Rocket, Field Pennycress, Field Pepperwort, Flixweed, Garden Arabis, Garden Candytuft, Garden Cress, Garden Radish, Garden Rocket, Garlic Mustard, Glabrous Whitlowgrass, Gold of Pleasure, Great Yellowcress, Greater Cuckooflower, Greater Periwinkle, Greater Swinecress, Hairy Bittercress, Hairy Rock-cress, Hairy Rocket, Hairy Whitlowgrass, Hedge Mustard, Hoary Cress, Hoary Mustard, Hoary Stock, Hoary Whitlowgrass, Honesty, Horseradish, Hutchinsia, Hybrid Watercress, Intermediate Periwinkle, Isle of Man Cabbage, Large Bittercress, Lesser Swinecress, London Rocket, Lundy Cabbage, Marsh Yellowcress, Mountain Scurvygrass, Narrow-fruited Watercress, Narrow-leaved Bittercress, Narrow-leaved Pepperwort, Northern Rock-cress, Northern Yellowcress, Oilseed Rape, Perennial Rocket, Perennial Wall Rocket, Perfoliate Pennycress, Pinnate Coralroot, Purple Rock-cress, Pyrenean Scurvygrass, Rock Whitlowgrass, Russian Rocket, Scottish Scurvygrass, Sea Kale, Sea Radish, Sea Rocket, Sea Stock, Shepherd's Cress, Shepherd's Purse, Small-flowered Wintercress, Smith's Pepperwort, Steppe Cabbage, Swede, Sweet Alyssum, Tall Rocket, Thale Cress, Tower Mustard, Treacle Mustard, Trefoil Cress, Turnip, Wall Whitlowgrass, Wallflower, Wallflower Cabbage, Watercress, Wavy Bittercress, White Mustard, Wild Cabbage, Wild Candytuft, Wild Radish, Wild Turnip, Wintercress, Woad, Yellow Whitlowgrass
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
120 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Floodplains, grassland, meadows, roadsides, wasteland.

Flower:
֍
Yellow, 4 petals
 
Long-staked, sulphur yellow flowers, between 7 and 15mm in diameter. Pollinated by flies and bees.
Fruit:
The fruit are fairly distinctive being asymmetrically egg-shaped, shiny and warty. 5 to 10mm long. There are 2 to 4 seeds per fruit. The seeds mature from July to September.
Leaves:
An erect, hairy plant covered in warty bumps. Narrowly oval, dark green leaves which are pointed, toothed and lobed. The lower leaves are long-stalked. The very top leaves are not stalked at all. Biennial or perennial.
Aroma:
The flowers are very fragrant.
Other Names:
Hill Mustard, Turkish Cabbage, Turkish Rocket, Turkish Warty Cabbage.
Frequency (UK):
Unusual  

Other Information

Summary

Bunias orientalis, commonly known as Turkish rocket or Turkish cabbage, is a flowering plant in the mustard family. It is native to southeastern Europe and western Asia, and is naturalized in many other parts of the world. The plant is known for its large, dark green leaves and clusters of small, yellow flowers. It is a biennial plant, meaning it takes two years to complete its life cycle. In the first year, the plant produces a rosette of leaves, and in the second year it produces a tall stem with flowers and seeds. The leaves and seeds of Bunias orientalis are edible and have been traditionally used in salads, soups, and other dishes. However, the plant is considered an invasive weed in some areas, as it can grow aggressively and displace native vegetation.

Blog

Warty Cabbage, also known as Bunias orientalis, is a flowering plant that belongs to the Brassicaceae family. This plant is native to the Caucasus region, but it has since been introduced to other parts of Europe and Asia.

Warty Cabbage is an attractive plant that grows to a height of up to 1.5 meters. It has large, waxy leaves and produces yellow flowers in the spring, which are followed by clusters of large, green seed pods. These seed pods are the source of the plant's common name, as they resemble miniature heads of cabbage.

This plant is considered an invasive species in many areas, and it can be a serious problem for farmers and gardeners. Warty Cabbage is capable of growing rapidly and can easily outcompete native vegetation, leading to a decline in biodiversity.

Despite its invasive nature, Warty Cabbage has been used for medicinal purposes in traditional medicine. The plant contains a range of chemicals, including glucosinolates, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

In conclusion, Warty Cabbage is a fascinating plant that has both positive and negative aspects. While it can be invasive and damaging to native ecosystems, it also has potential medicinal benefits. If you encounter this plant in the wild, it is important to be mindful of its invasive nature and take steps to control its spread.

Warty Cabbage as a Nutritional Source

In addition to its medicinal properties, Warty Cabbage also has nutritional value. The leaves and young shoots of the plant are edible and can be consumed raw or cooked. They contain a variety of nutrients, including vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron. In some cultures, Warty Cabbage is used as a leafy green vegetable in salads and soups.

The seeds of the Warty Cabbage plant are also edible and have been used as a food source for thousands of years. They are rich in protein and contain essential amino acids, making them an important food source for both humans and livestock. In some parts of the world, Warty Cabbage seeds are ground into flour and used to make bread and other baked goods.

Warty Cabbage as a Natural Remedy

In traditional medicine, Warty Cabbage has been used to treat a variety of ailments. It is believed to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help to reduce inflammation and protect cells from damage. The plant has been used to treat conditions such as arthritis, respiratory problems, and skin conditions.

In addition, Warty Cabbage has been used as a natural remedy for digestive problems. The plant is believed to stimulate the production of digestive juices and enzymes, which can help to improve digestion and prevent digestive problems such as indigestion and constipation.

It is important to note that while Warty Cabbage has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, its effectiveness and safety have not been fully tested in scientific studies. As with any natural remedy, it is always best to consult a healthcare professional before using Warty Cabbage for medicinal purposes.

Invasive Nature of Warty Cabbage

As previously mentioned, Warty Cabbage is considered an invasive species in many parts of the world. This plant has the ability to grow rapidly and can easily outcompete native vegetation, leading to a decline in biodiversity.

Warty Cabbage is particularly problematic in agricultural areas, where it can have a significant impact on crop yields. The plant is resistant to many herbicides, making it difficult to control once it has established itself in an area.

If you have Warty Cabbage growing in your area, it is important to take steps to control its spread. This can include removing the plant and its roots, using physical barriers to prevent it from spreading, or using specific herbicides that are effective against the plant.

In conclusion, Warty Cabbage is a plant with a rich history and a variety of uses, but it is also an invasive species that can have a negative impact on the environment. If you encounter Warty Cabbage in the wild, be mindful of its invasive nature and take steps to control its spread.

Warty Cabbage in Cultivation

Despite its invasive nature, Warty Cabbage can also be grown in a controlled environment for its ornamental value or for its edible leaves and seeds. The plant is relatively easy to care for and does well in full sun or partial shade. It prefers well-drained soil and can be grown in a variety of soil types.

When growing Warty Cabbage, it is important to be mindful of its invasive nature and take steps to prevent it from spreading into natural areas. This can include planting it in containers, using physical barriers to prevent it from spreading, or removing it before it goes to seed.

If you are growing Warty Cabbage for its edible leaves and seeds, it is important to harvest the seeds before they mature to prevent them from spreading into natural areas. The leaves can be harvested as needed, and the young shoots can be used in salads and other dishes.

In conclusion, Warty Cabbage can be a useful and attractive plant in cultivation, but it is important to be mindful of its invasive nature and take steps to prevent it from spreading into natural areas. Whether you are growing it for its ornamental value, for its edible leaves and seeds, or for its potential medicinal properties, Warty Cabbage is a plant that deserves our respect and attention.


Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

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