Raphanus sativus  L. Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)     Europe     Wild Radish

                                         April Photo

Plant Characteristics:  Annual or biennial, erect, branched, 3-12 dm. tall, subglabrous to scattered-hispid; lower leaves pinnately parted, 1-2 dm. long with large rounded terminal segment; upper leaves toothed; pedicels ascending 1-2 cm. long; sepals narrow about 9-10 mm.; petals 15-20 mm. long, white, lavender, pink, generally dark veined; fr. 4-7.5 cm. long including the conical beak, 2-3 seeded and 6-8 mm. thick, not or +/- narrowed, not breaking between seeds, upper part widest below middle, not to +/- grooved.

Habitat:  Waste places, fields, etc. through much of Calif., below 1000 m. Feb.-July.

Name:  Greek, raphanos, quick appearing, because of rapid germination of seeds.  (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 297).  Latin, sativus, that which is sown.  (Jaeger 228).  Species name probably refers to the fact that the plant has been cultivated.

General:  Very common throughout the study area.  Photographed on the North Star Flats.  (my comments).     The garden radish is a cultivated form.  The radish originated in China; was cultivated by the Pharaohs in Egypt.  In some countries the leaves and pods are eaten rather than the root.  The leaves may be eaten in the same manner as black mustard.  The root of the wild radish is often too woody to use in traditional ways. The flowers may be used in salads or eaten alone.  (Clarke 210-211).    Some years R. sativus is very prevalent and causes serious crop losses, especially in grain fields of the Central Valley.  The yields of grain in some areas have been reduced more than 50% due to radish.  It is especially serious in flax.  (Robbins et al. 233).     The green seeds of nearly ripe pods are tasty.  (John Johnson).              R. sativus has been found to accumulate free nitrates in quantities capable of causing death or discomfort to cattle.  (Fuller).      Delfina Cuero, a southern Diegueno or Kumeyaay Indian made the following comment about Raphanus sp. in her autobiography: "We cooked the young leaves and stems for greens.  For medicine, we grind the seeds, boil and strain to use the liquid to bathe inflamed eyes, and for pink eyes."  (Shipek 95).      About 4 species of Eurasia.  (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 297).

Text Ref:  Hickman, Ed. 434; Munz, Calif. Flora 238; Munz, Flora So. Calif. 297; Roberts 16.

Photo Ref:  April 3 83 # 15; April-May 84 # 10.

Identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by B. Hailey.  

First Found:  April 1983..

Computer Ref:  Plant Data 13.  

Have plant specimen.

Last edit  6/8/05.  

                                 May Photo                                                                          April Photo