Mustards: Family Brassicaceae

Mustards are in the family Brassicaceae.  In fact, this family is also referred to as Cruciferae (the Mustard family) and has approximately 3000 species in 350 genera (Carr). In modern times the name for this family was changed to Brassicaceae to stick with botanical standards.  The old name, Cruciferae, refers to the cross-like shape of the flowers.

If you're into history, you'll know that the new testiment refers to the mustard seeds as tiny seeds that will grow large into one of the largest plants around.  However, if you're from North America, you may have wondered who wrote this passage as most mustards are quite small.  Yet, in the Mediterranean, where the Brassicaceae reaches its highest diversity, there are mustard trees.  

One of the most diverse and famous species in this family is Brassica oleracea, or Wild Cabbage.  It was selectively bred over the ages to have extremely different morphologies.  They include broccoli, kohlrabi, cabbage, kale, brussels sprouts, and cauliflower.