Descurainia pinnata
Tansy Mustard
an annual member of the Descurainia genus in the family Brassicaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Genus
- Descurainia
- Life cycle
- annual
- Height
- 0.6 m
- Fertility
- Self fertile, Self
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Self
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The plant is said t be toxic to livestock, causing symptoms similar to selenium poisoning[4]. Known as blind staggers or paralyzed tongue, the animals can become blind, wander aimlessly and lose the ability to swallow[4].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Young leaves - cooked[5][7][8][10][1]. A bitter flavour[8]. Eaten as greens in the spring, they are said to have a salty flavour[2][3]. The seedpods make an interesting mustard-flavoured nibble[1]. Seed - raw or cooked. Used as a piñole[3]. The seed has a mustard flavour and can be used to flavour soups or as a condiment with corn[9][3]. The seed can also ground into a powder, mixed with cornmeal and used to make bread, or as a thickening for soups etc[8][9][10][1]. In Mexico the seeds are made into a refreshing drink with lime juice, claret and syrup[7][1].
- Product or use
- Condiment
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Plant part
- Seed
- Plant part
- Seedpod
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Diuretic, expectorant, poultice[10]. The ground up seeds have been used in the treatment of stomach complaints[3]. A poultice of the plant has been used to ease the pain of toothache[3]. An infusion of the leaves has been used as a wash on sores[3].
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Expectorant
- Product or use
- Odontalgic
- Product or use
- Poultice
- Product or use
- Stomachic
Environment
- Range
- Western N. America.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow spring in situ.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
We have almost no information on this species but judging by its native range it should succeed in most parts of Britain and is probably not too fussy about soil or situation. We suggest growing it in a dry to moist soil in a sunny position.
References
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Whiting. A. F. Ethnobotany of the Hopi North Arizona Society of Science and Art 1939-00-00
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press 1967-00-00 ISBN 0-8623-0343-9
Balls. E. K. Early Uses of Californian Plants. University of California Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-520-00072-2
Sweet. M. Common Edible and Useful Plants of the West. Naturegraph Co. 1962-00-00 ISBN 0-911010-54-8