Friday, April 27, 2012

Getting To Know The Plants Around You: Part 2

I have enjoyed seeing the newly blossoming trees and flowers on my hikes at Griffith Park lately.   One yellow flower was present on the side of the path for nearly the whole trail.  




Turns out it's Wild Mustard, whose black seeds are used to make the condiment and the spice.

        
The condiment was first created by the Romans, who mixed the crushed seeds with young wine to form a spicy paste.  The word mustard comes from the latin words "mustum" meaning new wine, and "ardens," meaning fire, or burning.