Ball-turnip
Rapistrum rugosum
Synonyms: Myagrum rugosum, Rapistrum rugosum var. conoideum, Rapistrum microcarpum, Rapistrum clavatum, Rapistrum rugosum var. microcarpum, Rapistrum rugosum var. scabrum, Rapistrum linnaeanum, Schrankia sulcata, Rapistrum rugosum var. stylosum, Cordylocarpus glaber, Bunias verrucosa, Rapistrum rugosum subsp. orientale, Cochlearia rugosa, Rapistrum conoideum, Myagrum hispanicum, Rapistrum rugosum var. linnaeanum, Rapistrum strictissimum, Rapistrum hirtum, Myagrum monospermum, Cakile rugosa var. stylosa, Rapistrum glabrum, Rapistrum rugosum subsp. nemausense, Rapistrum rugosum f. arenicola, Rapistrum rugosum subvar. glabrum, Arthrolobus rugosus, Rapistrum rugosum var. macrocarpum, Bunias raphanifolia, Cakile clavata, Rapistrum hispidum, Rapistrum nemausense, Myagrum procumbens, Rapistrum confusum, Rapistrum longiracemosum, Rapistrum rugosum var. orientale, Myagrum stylosum, Rapistrum rugosum var. strictissimum, Schrankia rugosa, Cakile rugosa, Crucifera rugosa, Rapistrum orientale, Rapistrum hirsutum, Rapistrum rugosum var. venosum, Rapistrum rugosum subsp. linnaeanum, Hirschfeldia hispanica, Crucifera erratica, Rapistrum rugosum subsp. microcarpum, Rapistrum rugosum f. subscaposum, Rapistrum rugosum var. glabrum, Myagrum venosum, Rapistrum venosum
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Botanical Description
Rapistrum rugosum, called ball-turnip, annual bastard cabbage, or wild turnip, is an erect annual or biennial herb in the family Brassicaceae native to the Mediterranean basin and western Asia and now widely naturalized as a weed across temperate and subtropical regions of the Americas, Australia, and East Asia. Plants reach 30-150 cm in height, with stiff branched stems clothed in spreading bristly hairs and a stout taproot. Basal leaves are lyrate-pinnatifid with a large terminal lobe and several smaller lateral lobes, up to 25 cm long; upper stem leaves are smaller, lanceolate, and entire to coarsely toothed, with shorter petioles. The inflorescence is an elongate raceme of small bright-yellow four-petalled flowers 6-10 mm across, typical of the cabbage family. Flowering occurs from spring through autumn. The fruit is a distinctive two-segmented silique borne on a short pedicel: the lower segment is cylindrical and ribbed, sterile or one-seeded, while the upper segment is enlarged, globose to ovoid, indehiscent, wrinkled (hence rugosum), and contains a single seed, with a slender beak at the apex. The species inhabits arable fields, roadside verges, fallow ground, and disturbed open habitats on a wide range of soils.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.