T.E.R:R.A.I.N - Taranaki Educational Resource: Research, Analysis and Information Network

Wild Radish (Raphanus raphanistrum)

Kingdom: Plantae
(Unranked): Angiosperms
(Unranked): Eudicots
(Unranked): Rosids
Order: Brassicales
Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Raphanus
Species: R. raphanistrum
Binomial name: Raphanus raphanistrum
Common name: Wild Radish, Jointed Charlock

Raphanus raphanistrum, is a flowering plant from Europe, Asia, N. Africa. It became naturalised in New Zealand in 1854. It is sometimes claimed to be the ancestor of the edible radish ( Raphanus sativus). it has been introduced into most parts of the world, and is regarded as a damagingly invasive species in many, including New Zealand and Australia. It spreads rapidly, and is often found growing on roadsides or in other places where the ground has been disturbed. It is not common in Taranaki.

Wild radish grows as an annual or biennial plant, with attractive four-petalled flowers 15-20 mm across and varying in colour, usually from white or lilac but sometimes light orange to yellow, often with colour shading within a single petal. It is frost hardy, and even hard freezes only temporarily interrupt bloom. It blooms in early October to April with flowers very similar to those of the Sea Radish (Raphanus raphanistrum subsp.maritimus), which is found in some of the same regions and is easily distinguished from it by having thinner, non-succulent stems and leaves.

It develops pods up to 6cm long containing 5 to 8 seeds. It has a single taproot which is similar to that of the cultivated radish but less enlarged.

A bank on the coastal walkway covered with Raphanus raphanistrum

Photos below are of a colour varities

The root system

The seed pod