Raphanus raphanistrum

'Wild Radish'

Brassicaceae: roughly hairy annual to 60cm. A weed of fields and pastures, usually on sandy non-calcareous soils. Violet-veined white petals, blooming from May-July. Native to Europe, including Britain, from Norway south to North Africa.

USES:

The young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, they have a somewhat hot taste, can be finely cut and added to salads or used as a potherb. It is best to use just the young leaves in spring, older leaves soon become bitter. The seed can be used raw or cooked, these have a very pungent flavour, and the seed can be ground into a powder and made into a paste when it is an excellent substitute for mustard. The sprouted seeds have a somewhat hot spicy flavour and are a tasty addition to salads. Flowers can also be used raw, and are a nice addition to salads.

Medicinally the plant has Antirheumatic properties.

Plant prefer rich soils with ample moisture, but dislikes very heavy soils. This plant can host eelworms, these can attack other cultivated crops. This species is possibly the original source of the cultivated radish, R. sativus. The flowers are very attractive to bees.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Sow seeds in spring in situ. Germination can take place within 2 weeks. These perennial seeds germinate very irregularly over a long period. Lower temperatures of less than +5°C [41°F] are very effective. Seed trays should not be discarded prematurely. Constant moisture must be maintained. Do not leave in direct sunlight.

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HARVESTED: 2020

APPROX. 30 SEEDS