Definition

Noun: 1. A large family of plants characterized by four-petaled flowers: The mustard family is a major taxonomic group of flowering plants. Its members are typically herbaceous and are widely cultivated for food. The family is scientifically known as Brassicaceae or Cruciferae.

Usage

• The term "mustard family" is used in botanical, agricultural, and culinary contexts to categorize a wide range of related plants.
• It functions as a common name for the scientific family Brassicaceae.

Examples

• Botanists study the evolutionary relationships within the mustard family.
• Many common vegetables, such as kale and Brussels sprouts, belong to the mustard family.
• The characteristic four-petaled flowers are a key identifier for plants in the mustard family.

Advanced Usage

• The name "mustard family" derives from one of its most well-known members, the mustard plant, whose seeds are used to make the condiment.
• An alternative historical name for this family is the "crucifer" family, referring to the cross-like shape of the four petals.

Variants and Related Words

• Brassicaceae (n.): The modern scientific Latin name for the mustard family.
• Cruciferae (n.): An older but still accepted scientific name for the same plant family.
• Cruciferous (adj.): Describing plants belonging to the mustard family (e.g., cruciferous vegetables).

Synonyms

• The cabbage family
• The crucifer family

Related Terms

• Genus Brassica (n.): A very important genus within the mustard family, containing cabbage, broccoli, mustard, and related crops.
• Silique (n.): A type of seed pod characteristic of many plants in the mustard family.

Noun

1. a large family of plants with four-petaled flowers; includes mustards, cabbages, broccoli, turnips, cresses, and their many relatives