LeavesGreyish-green; hairy; divided into leaflets 2-3 times (pinnate); lance-shaped segments (Moss, 1983). 2-9 cm long (Johnson et al., 1995).FlowersClusters; at stem tips; 4 petals; yellow or whitish; 0.8-1.5 mm long (Johnson et al., 1995).Fruits and SeedsDry dehiscent pod (silique); linear; 15-30 mm long; 0.5-1 mm wide; erect; slightly curved; pedicels spreading; 7-12 mm long (Moss, 1983). Stalks 7-12 mm long; seeds in 1 row (Johnson et al., 1995).
Scientific NameDescurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl
Common Name
flixweed; tansy mustard (Johnson et al., 1995).
General Description
An annual weed with erect stems 20-100 cm tall that are branched, greyish-green and have star-shaped hairs; flowers are yellow or whitish (Johnson et al., 1995).
Leaves
Greyish-green; hairy; divided into leaflets 2-3 times (pinnate); lance-shaped segments (Moss, 1983). 2-9 cm long (Johnson et al., 1995).
Flowers
Clusters; at stem tips; 4 petals; yellow or whitish; 0.8-1.5 mm long (Johnson et al., 1995).
Fruits and Seeds
Dry dehiscent pod (silique); linear; 15-30 mm long; 0.5-1 mm wide; erect; slightly curved; pedicels spreading; 7-12 mm long (Moss, 1983). Stalks 7-12 mm long; seeds in 1 row (Johnson et al., 1995).
Phenology
March to July (JSTOR).
Notes
2n=14, 28*, 56 (Moss, 1983). Due to its high abundance, this species has been a good survival food; some Natives used young plants as a potherb (Johnson et al., 1995). It is often baked in a fire pit and steamed for 30…
2n=14, 28*, 56 (Moss, 1983). Due to its high abundance, this species has been a good survival food; some Natives used young plants as a potherb (Johnson et al., 1995). It is often baked in a fire pit and steamed for 30 minutesl changing the water twice while cooking reduces the bitter taste (Johnson et al., 1995).
Range/Distribution
Alberta: More dense in southern half but found throughout province (Canadensys). Introduced in CAN (BC, MB, NL, NS, SK, NT, ON, PE, QC, YT); USA (AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA,…
Alberta: More dense in southern half but found throughout province (Canadensys). Introduced in CAN (BC, MB, NL, NS, SK, NT, ON, PE, QC, YT); USA (AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY) (USDA).
Citation
Page Citation for Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl
Page Citation
"Species Details - Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl, University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/1-7973/12-119162. Accessed 03 Feb. 2025.
Specimen Information
There are 98 specimens of this Species.
58 results plotted on map in 54 markers. Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.
Common Nameflixweed; tansy mustard (Johnson et al., 1995).Place CollectedNorth America: United States, South Dakota, Codington County, WatertownDate Collected1957-06-06
Common Nameflixweed; tansy mustard (Johnson et al., 1995).Place CollectedNorth America: United States, South Dakota, Spink County, MelletteDate Collected1941-05-28
Common Nameflixweed; tansy mustard (Johnson et al., 1995).Place CollectedNorth America: United States, Utah, Washington County, Beaver Dam WashDate Collected1989-03-12