Wormseed Mustard

Erysimum cheiranthoides

Physical Characteristics

Erysimum cheiranthoides is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

N. America - Newfoundland to New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Missouri, west to the Pacific coast.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds; South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Skin Vermifuge A drink made from the crushed seed is used as a vermifuge[207]. It is intensely bitter but has been used on children and expels the worms both by vomit and by excretion[4, 207]. A decoction of the root has been applied to skin eruptions[257].

Known Hazards

None known