University of Alberta Museums Search

Scientific Name Descurainia 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).

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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).

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