Potherb Mustard

Potherb Mustard

　　Potherb mustard is a rare vegetable with short stature and slender leaves, resembling small shepherd's purse. It can be harvested three times a year and thrives in moist sandy loam soil. The plant has a long growing period—it is sown at the Summer Solstice and harvested only at the Limit of Heat, yielding a relatively low output of just 150 jin per mu. As a result, it is not widely available on the market and is grown only in Jiaochangxia, Shiliba, and Fucunwan in Taiping Town. When pickled, potherb mustard is used as a tangy, crisp, and flavorful vegetable side dish that is rich in various vitamins and highly nutritious. It provides certain auxiliary benefits in alleviating fatigue and preventing cardiovascular diseases, gastric disorders, and vision deterioration. According to the county annals from the Republican era, potherb mustard from Shixing was once considered a delicacy among vegetables and was even offered as a tribute to the imperial court for the emperor’s enjoyment.