Although this species of mustard is called black mustard, the seeds
are actually brown in color. They are more pungent in flavor and a bit
higher in heat than yellow mustard seeds. These are the variety of
mustard seeds that are combined with vinegar and sugar to produce table
mustard, or brown mustard.
The plant is originally native to central Europe, but is now naturalized
throughout North America. It is one of several members of the cabbage
family that are grown as winter cover crops to protect and nutritionally
enhance the soil.