Bloomipedia
Saharan mustard (Brassica tournefortii)
Photo: Robbie Hannawacker via iNaturalist · CC0 · resized

Flower profile

Saharan mustard

Brassica tournefortii

Not native to Arizona

Saharan mustard is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. In Arizona it's most often seen in bloom in January–April.

5states
1,158AZ sightings*
5,677U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Arizona

Quick look

Brassica tournefortii is a species of plant known by the common names Asian mustard, pale cabbage, African mustard, Sahara mustard, and Aslooz.

  • It belongs to the Brassicaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a annual life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 5 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as not native to Arizona. NatureServe
  • In Arizona, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in January–April. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 1,158 research-grade sightings of it in Arizona, ranking #89 among the 109 flowers on our Arizona list. iNaturalist

Saharan mustard gift ideas

Handmade saharan mustard gifts from independent makers.

🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.

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    Saharan mustard art print

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    Saharan mustard mug

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When does it bloom?

In Arizona, most flowering sightings come in January–April.

Flowering records by month in Arizona (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (57 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
GNR Not yet ranked worldwide. NatureServe
Arizona
Not listed Not on Arizona Native Plant Law protected plants (Ariz. Admin. Code R3-3 Art. 11, App. A, eff. Feb. 2, 2025). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Arizona. AAC R3-3 App. A
Rare elsewhere
No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsToxic to horses

ASPCA's entry “White/Black/Yellow Indian Mustard” (Brassica species), which covers the whole genus, lists it as toxic to horses. Signs include: Gastrointestinal irritation… ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records saharan mustard in 5 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas.

Arizona counties with USDA records: Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, Yuma.

More Arizona flowers

London rocket (Sisymbrium irio)

London rocket

Sisymbrium irio

Introduced

🌼 Blooms in AZ: January–December
Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea)

Saguaro

Carnegiea gigantea

★ AZ state flowerNative

🌼 Blooms in AZ: April–June
Creosote bush (Larrea tridentata)

Creosote bush

Larrea tridentata

Native

🌼 Blooms in AZ: January–December

Sources