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Raphanus sativus oleiformis - Pers.

Common Name Fodder Radish
Family Brassicaceae or Cruciferae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards The Japanese radishes have higher concentrations of glucosinolate, a substance that acts against the thyroid gland. It is probably best to remove the skin[160].
Habitats Not known in the wild.
Range A plant of cultivation. the origin of which is obscure. It probably arose through cultivation.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Raphanus sativus oleiformis Fodder Radish


Raphanus sativus oleiformis Fodder Radish

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Raphanus sativus oleiformis is a ANNUAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 6in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a fast rate.
It is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves  Oil  Root  Seed  Seedpod
Edible Uses: Oil

Young leaves - raw or cooked[37, 52, 104, 183]. A somewhat hot taste, and the texture is somewhat coarse[K]. As long as they are young, they make an acceptable addition in small quantities to chopped salads and are a reasonable cooked green[K]. A nutritional analysis is available[218]. Young flower clusters - raw or cooked[183]. A spicy flavour with a crisp pleasant texture, they make a nice addition to salads or can be used as a broccoli substitute[9, K]. Seeds - raw. The seed can be soaked for 12 hours in warm water and then allowed to sprout for about 6 days[244]. They have a hot spicy flavour and go well in salads[183, 244]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[2, 183]. Young seedpods - raw[2, 37, 52, 104]. Crisp and juicy with a mildly hot flavour[K]. They must be eaten when young because they quickly become tough and fibrous[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Anthelmintic  Antibacterial  Antifungal  Antiscorbutic  Antispasmodic  Astringent  Cancer  Carminative  
Cholagogue  Digestive  Diuretic  Expectorant  Laxative  Poultice  Stomachic


Radishes have long been grown as a food crop, but they also have various medicinal actions. The roots stimulate the appetite and digestion, having a tonic and laxative effect upon the intestines and indirectly stimulating the flow of bile[254]. Consuming radish generally results in improved digestion, but some people are sensitive to its acridity and robust action[254]. The plant is used in the treatment of intestinal parasites, though the part of the plant used is not specified[147]. The leaves, seeds and old roots are used in the treatment of asthma and other chest complaints[218]. The juice of the fresh leaves is diuretic and laxative[240]. The seed is carminative, diuretic, expectorant, laxative and stomachic[176, 218, 240]. It is taken internally in the treatment of indigestion, abdominal bloating, wind, acid regurgitation, diarrhoea and bronchitis[238]. The root is antiscorbutic, antispasmodic, astringent, cholagogue, digestive and diuretic[21, 218]. It is crushed and used as a poultice for burns, bruises and smelly feet[218]. Radishes are also an excellent food remedy for stone, gravel and scorbutic conditions[4]. The root is best harvested before the plant flowers[21]. Its use is not recommended if the stomach or intestines are inflamed[21]. The plant contains raphanin, which is antibacterial and antifungal[218, 238]. It inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, streptococci, Pneumococci etc[176]. The plant also shows anti-tumour activity[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fodder  Oil

The growing plant repels beetles from tomatoes and cucumbers[20, 201]. It is also useful for repelling various other insect pests such as carrot root fly[201]. There is a fodder variety that grows more vigorously and is used as a green manure[87].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a rich soil with ample moisture[16, 52]. Dislikes very heavy or acid soils[16, 37]. Plants are susceptible to drought and require irrigation during dry spells in the summer or the root quality will rapidly deteriorate and the plant will go to seed. Fodder radishes are grown mainly for their leaves and oil-rich seeds, they are used as a green manure or stock feed though they can also be eaten by people. The roots of these plants soon become fibrous, though they make acceptable eating when young. Radishes are a good companion plant for lettuces, nasturtiums, peas and chervil, tomatoes and cucumbers[18, 20]. They are said to repel cucumber beetles if planted near cucumber plants and they also repel the vine borers which attack squashes, marrows and courgettes[238]. They grow badly with hyssop[18, 20] and with grape vines[201].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ. Germination should take place within 2 weeks.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Raphanus landraRadishAnnual0.8 -  LMHSNM20 
Raphanus maritimaSea RadishBiennial0.8 -  LMHSNM20 
Raphanus raphanistrumWild RadishAnnual1.2 0-0  LMHSNM210
Raphanus sativusRadish, Cultivated radishAnnual0.5 2-11 FLMHSNM433
Raphanus sativus caudatusRat-Tail RadishAnnual0.0 7-10  LMHSNM333
Raphanus sativus nigerOriental RadishAnnual0.5 2-11 FLMHSNM433

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Pers.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Rini Mirza   Fri Sep 29 2006

I want to see the picture of some radish plants. Is there any 'black root' of radish?

Tim Hopper   Tue Dec 2 2008

Plot 61a A photo diary of it's growth in Kent, England 2008-2009

Tim Hopper   Tue Dec 2 2008

Plot 61a A photo diary of Kent allotment

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