What is Turritis glabra (Tower Mustard)?
Turritis glabra, commonly known as tower mustard or tower cress, is a biennial plant native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa, and now naturalized in many parts of the world, including North America. As a member of the Brassicaceae family, it is related to familiar vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and kale. In its first year, the plant forms a basal rosette of leaves, and in its second year, it produces a tall, slender stem with small, creamy flowers. This plant gets its name from its distinctive, erect, tower-like growth habit. While its habitat varies, it is often found in disturbed areas, such as roadsides, fields, and woodlands.
Is Turritis glabra Safe to Eat?
Based on ethnobotanical research and foraging guides, Turritis glabra is considered edible and safe for consumption, with no known hazards when correctly identified and prepared. However, as with all wild-foraged plants, a few precautions are necessary:
- Positive Identification: Always be 100% certain of your identification. While Turritis glabra has no known toxic lookalikes, misidentification can lead to consuming a harmful plant. The key identifying features include its slender, tower-like appearance, blue-green, hairless upper stem leaves that clasp the stem, and straight, erect seed pods pressed against the stem.
- Moderate Consumption: The compounds that give mustard plants their characteristic peppery taste can cause stomach upset if consumed in large quantities. Start with a small amount to see how your body reacts.
- Foraging Location: Ensure you are harvesting from a clean, wild area away from roadsides, industrial sites, or agricultural fields that may have been treated with herbicides or pesticides.
Edible Parts and Preparation
The primary edible part of Turritis glabra is its young leaves. For the best taste and texture, it is recommended to harvest the leaves in the first year of growth or early in the second year before the plant flowers. As the plant matures, the leaves can become tougher and more bitter.
Leaves: The young leaves can be cooked and used as a potherb, similar to spinach or other mustard greens. Sautéing them with garlic and olive oil is a popular method to bring out their peppery flavor. While young leaves can be added raw to salads, cooking is recommended to mellow their flavor, especially as they mature.
Infusion: An infusion or herbal tea can be made from the plant. Historically, this infusion was used as a preventative tonic for sickness and to treat early signs of a cold, though these are traditional remedies, not scientifically proven cures.
Flowers and Seeds: While less common, the small, creamy flowers can be added to salads for a pop of color and mild spice. However, the seeds are generally not used for culinary purposes like other mustard varieties.
Comparison Table: Turritis glabra vs. Other Edible Mustards
| Feature | Turritis glabra (Tower Mustard) | Brassica juncea (Indian Mustard) | Sinapis arvensis (Wild Mustard) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For Eating | Young leaves (cooked) | Leaves (saag), seeds, oil | Young leaves, flower buds, seeds |
| Flavor Profile | Mildly peppery, less pungent than many other mustards | Pungent, sharp, and peppery | Sweet and peppery |
| Edible Parts | Leaves, infusions | Leaves, seeds, flowers | Leaves, flowers, seeds |
| Growth Habit | Biennial, forms a tall, slender tower | Annual, bushy growth | Annual, upright, spreading |
| Foraging Note | Can become bitter as it matures | Found in fields, widespread | Abundant, best harvested young |
Conclusion
In conclusion, Turritis glabra is indeed an edible wild plant, but its culinary value primarily lies in its young leaves. Unlike its more common mustard relatives, its flavor is generally milder and it has no known toxic lookalikes, making it a relatively safer option for careful foragers. However, as with any wild food, accurate identification and mindful harvesting practices are essential. Its historical use as a cold preventative in traditional remedies also adds to its intrigue, but these properties are not scientifically proven. For those interested in expanding their wild food knowledge, tower mustard offers a unique and accessible entry point, so long as all safety precautions are followed. For additional foraging information, resources such as the Plants For A Future database are helpful.
