Mustard

Black mustard (Brassica nigra) is a tall, many branched, often weedy- looking annual plant. It often reaches six feet and may occasionally double that height. Plants die in summer, leaving the skeletal stems standing until battered down by winter winds and rain. This dried vegetation is flammable. Bright yellow flowers occur in small clusters on small stems at the ends of the main branches.

All together, several mustard plants can produce a brilliant display. Today, the greatest use of black mustard is for mustard seed, primarily ground and mixed with oil and vinegar to make table mustard.

It is said that the early Franciscan padres scattered mustard seeds along El Camino Real making a golden trail between the missions of Alta California that would guide weary travelers to shelter.