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Datasheet Publication:
Oct-2007 (last update: none)
Citation for this page
Mifsud, S. (2007). Online Flora of the Maltese Islands (2002-2026): Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. raphanistrum - datasheet published on Oct-2007. Retrieved on 06-Aug-2026 from https://www.MaltaWildPlants.com/CRUC/#CRUC
Nomenclature and General Information
Species name :
Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. raphanistrumL.
Published in Sp. Pl. : 669 (1753)
Brassicaceae Juss. (The Mustard or Cress Family) Previously included in Cruciferae 47 species from the Brassicaceae family are recorded from the Maltese Islands.
English name(s) :
Wild Radish, Jointed-podded Charlock, White Charlock
Maltese name(s) :
Ravanell salvaġġ
Status for Malta :
Indigenous. Present on the Maltese islands before man
Frequency :
Very Common Common Frequent Scarce Rare Very rare Extinct
Growth form :
Germination type [info]: Dicotyledon
Raunkiaer lifeform [info]: Therophyte ( annual plants, herbaceous, die after fruiting/seeding stage )
Legal Protection :
Not legally protected till the last update of this website (22/Aug/2025)
Red List (1989) :
Not listed in the Red Data Book of the Maltese Islands
Flowering Time :
December – May
Colour of Flowers:
White
Toxicity:
Not particularly toxic
Name Derivation :
Raphanus: Latin name for radish. (Latin origin)
raphanistrum subsp. raphanistrum: ()
Planting in rural areas :
Can be planted in rural areas according to ERA Guidelines
Description, Habitat and Distribution
Botanical Description
Annual or biennial. Lateral lobes of basal and lower cauline leaves distant. Petals 12-20 mm, usually white or yellow, usually dark-veined. Siliqua 30-90 x 3-4 mm, lomentaceous at least above, with 3-8 segments separated by irregular, long, rather shallow constrictions; segments usually longer than wide, strongly veined; beak 6-30 mm.
Habitat in Europe
A weed of cultivated fields
Preferred habitat in Malta
Weedy places in fields and country lanes. Also frequent in waste sides and coastal areas.
Chromosome number(s)
2n=18
Distributional range
Throughout Europe, but probably not native in N. Europe and rare or absent in the extreme north
Occurrences in Europe (from Euro+Med Checklist till 2024) Country codes
AE(G) Ag Al Au Az(J) dBe Be(B L) BH Bl(I M N) Bu By Cg Co Cr Cs Ct Eg Es dFa Ga(F) Gr dHb He Hs(A S) Hu IJ dIs It La Li Lt Lu Ma Md(M P) Mk Mo Rf Rm Sa Si(M S) Sk Sl Sr Tn Tu(A E) Uk(K U) [Az(C F G J L M P S T) Ca(C F G H L P T) Hb(E)]
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