The importance of knowing the species of plant you are purchasing for your garden or landscaping hinges on the health of our native ecosystems. In this article we will discuss the mustard plant and why the name can be confusing. When we hear about the mustard plant we may assume the varieties offer different mustard seeds with different potency which is true. However, knowing the species of the mustard plant is very important depending on the region in which we live. In addition, local nurseries may carry invasive species, knowingly or unknowingly. For instance, the black mustard plant makes a great ornamental addition to landscapes especially when trying to prevent erosion. If you are living in Africa or Europe the black mustard plant is great and is native to those lands. On the other hand, in the West and Southwest of America the black mustard plant is very intrusive and threatens many native flowering plants.

A great native mustard is the California Mustard which is a native herb and used to attract many varieties of butterflies. It is important to understand and know your plants ensuring that they are native and not mistaken for non-native plants that have made their way to our Western landscapes. Our butterflies, insects, and bees are not familiar with non-native plants so when invasive species take over our essential pollinators suffer.

Unfortunately, the very invasive mustard plant known as the black mustard or Brassica Nigra has been a part of our landscape that is here to stay. The aggressive interloper covers much of the West with its yellow bloom typically after the winter months. From a distance the hills covered in yellow appear beautiful, and they are. However, upon closer inspection when it is discovered that the bloom is the black mustard plant environmentalists become concerned due to the adverse effects of unwanted intruders.

Brought from Eurasia to the Pacific Coast by Spanish colonizers, the invasive plant was intended to be a spice crop but quickly spread. Experts say it can be stopped or slowed down locally but will probably never be eradicated. There is too much of the black mustard to ever get rid of completely but there are protected areas that have been successful at keeping the weed away.

Often found near lands that are constantly disturbed, the plant takes advantage of lands after fires or by the creation and maintenance of roads, one reason mustard is so visible near highways.

In areas that are prone to wildfires, black mustard can grow faster than native species. Black mustard can make matters worse during a fire because the stalks are taller than the grass and can carry flames to taller trees.

Weed experts say the black mustard plant’s omnipresence serves as an example of what can happen if an invasive species goes untreated. The tough plant germinates early in winter before native plants have taken hold, shoots up more than 6 feet tall, blocking the sunlight for native species, and with its thick stalks lays down a deep system of roots that also beat out native plants for water.

By July or August, these weeds dry up along with invasive European grasses. As such, they serve as kindling during Southern California’s long wildfire season. Black mustard plants produce thousands of seeds and are one of the first plants to spring up after a fire.

The black mustard and other invasive species are on the minds of botanists and ecologists working in the Western states. Scientists are closely monitoring over 400 areas with sensitive habitats to make sure invasive species are not spreading. They also are restoring burned areas with native plants, including coastal sagebrush species and giant wild rye.

But there are over 300 nonnative plants in California and neighboring states — too many for park officials to control. Instead, they are focused on combating the spread of a select group. Park officials want to prevent other invasive species from taking over the way black mustard dominates the landscape. It is a terribly invasive species, so widespread that it cannot be managed on a large scale.

As we consider any landscaping, let’s get to know and choose native plants for our yards and avoid invasive ones that can still be found at nurseries.