July 02, 2008

What the hell am I growing?

I need help. And I'm looking at you for answers to what this volunteer in my tomato bed might be.

It looks somewhat radishy in the pod, but the flowers are yellow, not white or pink/purple. The leaves have a vague broccolish flavor, but a hint of heat too, but not enough to be mustard (and they aren't hairy, more like smooth and slightly spongy). The stem and root do not have a bulb like a radish, beet, etc. (and yes, look at all that crap growing out of the compost). Here is the wide view, of the mystery plant hanging out with the tomato showing how tall it is.

I've uploaded big files taken with the macro setting, so if you use flickr log in and click the "all sizes" to really see the detail. Please. I need to know.

So, what do you think? I've shown it around and heard guesses of mustard, rapini, and radish. I've never planted anything like it, so who knows the source (here birdy birdy birdy...) Can I eat it?

Posted by binky at July 2, 2008 11:00 PM | TrackBack | Posted to Gardening


Comments

Via a regular reader, who elicits commentary from a gardener family member, we have an ID of "mustard." Some searching brought up this. Looks like a hit. Now, I still don't know where it came from (birdies), but I think the chances are good that I can eat it. Thanks dh.

Posted by: binky at July 3, 2008 11:33 AM | PERMALINK

Mmmm, mustard greens.

Posted by: Armand at July 3, 2008 03:43 PM | PERMALINK

Well, but that's the thing. They don't look like the usual mustard greens and are not as hot. They aren't the reddish tinged ones, which is why I was confused. I have planted those, and they have definitely gone into the compost, so maybe they were some kind of hybrid and the ones that have volunteered reverted to type. We'll see. I do have some collards and chard that are ready to harvest, so this weekend I might just cook up some mixed greens.

Posted by: binky at July 3, 2008 05:06 PM | PERMALINK

Looks like the arrival of this mustard is fortuitous, as they can be used to control soil based disease. New form of intercropping! HT

Posted by: binky at July 28, 2008 09:47 AM | PERMALINK
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