XDescurainia sophia - Tansy MustardX
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Tansy Mustard -or- Flixweed -or- Fluxweed (Descurainia sophia), family Brassicaceae (Mustard)
The genus descurainia is a small one, with only 8 species total. This species is both annual and biennial - an herb. It is found abundantly throughout the United States and Canada. The plants have long been known to have healing properties and were named "The Wisdom of Surgeons" by ancient herbalists.
USES: Native American tribes have used this species for both food and medicine: Navajo, Ramah - Poultice of plant applied for toothache. Ground seeds used to make cakes. Used as sheep feed. Keres, Western - Leaves stored with corn to prevent spoiling. Infusion of plant used to soak seed corn for faster maturity. Leaves buried with seed corn as a fertilizer or fungicide. Pueblo - Young plants boiled with a pinch of salt and eaten as greens. Young plants boiled, pressed, rolled into balls and eaten. Plant made into a stew with wild onions, wild celery, tallow or bits of meat. Young plants boiled, pressed, rolled into balls, dried and stored for winter use. Paiute, Northern - Seeds stored for winter use. Seeds roasted, cooled, ground, mixed with cold water and eaten. Seeds dried, cooked, ground, water added, kneaded, water added to make a fine batter and drunk. Seeds parched, ground and eaten as meal. Roasted, ground seeds mixed with water and used as a cooling beverage for hot weather.
TECHNICAL: This species is an angiosperm (plant with covered seed). It's flowers are bisexual (male and female parts in same flower), and it fertilizes itself. The leaves are bi- to tri-pinnate (divided 2 to 3 times); siliques (is the fruit derived from two-carpellate - two female organs - in which the two halves split from a persistent partition where the seeds are attached) are linear (long and narrow with parallel edges); pedicels (flower stalk) spreading. Family characteristics: 4 petals are in the shape of a cross; 4 sepals; superior ovary (petals attached at base of ovary); flowers of Onograceae also have 4 petals but have an inferior ovary (petals attached at top of ovary); 6 (4 long, 2 short) stamens (male or pollen-bearing organ), fruits divided in two by a papery replum (as in money plant); alternate (one leaf per node - joint of the stem where the leaves join stem) leaves; peppery tasting juice; includes many important vegetables such as kale, cabbage, broccoli. Thanks to the Colorado State University Extension website for technical information that laymen can understand.
This species was introduced from Eurasia. It has been classed as an invasive weed in some areas.
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Plant location: Platte River Trail near Adams County Regional Park, June 28, 2014. This is a plains and montane dweller. Habitats include disturbed areas, fallow fields, roadsides.Plant -
Bloom season: Tansy Mustard will be around for a good while ... since it blooms from April to August.Foliage -
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