How To Distinguish Mustard From Canola

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Mustard Production Manual Saskatchewan Mustard Development Commission How to distinguish mustard from canola
Canola (Brassica napus)Brown or oriental mustard (Brassica juncea)Yellow mustard (Sinapis alba)
SeedlingCanola seedlingHeart-shaped cotyledons and hairless leaf stalks. First true leaves have a hairless upper surface with scarce hairs on the underside of the leaf. Brown or oriental mustard seedlingHeart-shaped cotyledons and hairless leaf stalks. First true leaves are covered with hairs on both the upper and lower leaf surfaces. Hairs on leaves are less dense than on yellow mustard leaves. Yellow mustard seedlingHeart-shaped cotyledons have a few hairs on the edges and upper surface. Stems and leaf stalks are densely pubescent (hairy). First true leaves have a dense covering of hair on both the upper and lower surfaces
Adult leavesCanola leafAdult leaves are dark bluish-green, waxy and either hairless or with a few sparse hairs near the leaf margin. The leaves are rounded and partially clasp the stem. Brown or oriental mustard leafLeaves are pale green with hairs on the first leaves and leaf margins. The lower leaves will be deeply lobed, while the upper leaves will be narrower and not lobed. The leaf will terminate higher up on the petiole and will not clasp the stem. Yellow mustard leafLeaves are light-green, densely pubescent and deeply lobed. The leaf will terminate higher up on the leaf stalk and will not clasp the stem.
FlowersCanola flowerYellow flowers Brown mustard flowerPale yellow flowers. Yellow mustard flowerYellow flowers that are smaller than canola flowers.
StemsHairless and smoothHairless and smoothPubescent with lots of small hairs on the stems and petioles.
PodsCanola podsLong narrow pods with a smooth, medium conical peak. Pods are usually positioned at a right angle to the stem.Brown mustard pods Smooth long, conical beaked pods. The pods are usually positioned 45º to the stem.Yellow mustard podsPods are long, flat and covered with small hairs. Pods are positioned at a right angle to the stem.
SeedsCanola seedsSeeds are black in colour and spherical to oval in shape. They are larger than brown and oriental mustard but smaller than yellow mustard seeds. Brown mustardBrown mustard seedsSeeds are reddish brown to dark brown in colour and are 2 mm or less in diameter. Seeds are spherical or oval in shape. Oriental MustardOriental mustard seedsSeeds are predominately yellow to dark yellow in colour with some seeds light brown to dark brown. Oval in shape with a width of 1.2 to 2 mm and a length of 1.6 to 3 mm.Yellow mustard seedsSeeds are light creamy yellow to yellow with the occasional seed being light or yellowish brown. Seeds are spherical or oval in shape with a diameter of 2 to 3 mm.

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Updated April 2025 Mustard Production Manual Mustard Grower Site Spread the Mustard Consumer Site

Government of Saskatchewan: Ministry of Agriculture Saskatchewan Mustard Development Commission

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