Practical
Plants

Descurainia sophia

Flixweed

an annual or biennial member of the Descurainia genus in the family Brassicaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
annual, biennial
Height
0.9 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Self

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves and shoots - cooked[1][8]. A bitter flavour[14]. Used as a potherb[4][7]. Seed - raw or cooked[10]. A pungent taste, it is used as a mustard substitute[12][13][1][4]. The seed can be ground into a powder, mixed with cornmeal and used to make bread, or as a thickening for soups etc[12][14][4]. It can also be sprouted and added to salads etc[4]. A nourishing and cooling beverage can be made by mixing the ground up seeds with water to make a thin batter[7]. The seed contains 25.5 - 29.9% protein, 26.9 - 39.7% fat and 3.6 - 3.9% ash on a zero moisture basis[5].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Seed

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.

A poultice of the plant has been used to ease the pain of toothache[7]. The juice of the plant has been used in the treatment of chronic coughs, hoarseness and ulcerated sore throats[9]. A strong decoction of the plant has proved excellent in the treatment of asthma[9]. The flowers and the leaves are antiscorbutic and astringent[5][6]. The seed is considered to be cardiotonic, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, laxative, restorative and tonic[5][6]. It is used in the treatment of asthma, fevers, bronchitis, oedema and dysentery[3][6]. It is also used in the treatment of worms and calculus complaints[6]. It is decocted with other herbs for treating various ailments[5]. The seeds have formed a special remedy for sciatica[9]. A poultice of the ground up seeds has been used on burns and sores[7].

Product or use
Antiasthmatic
Product or use
Antiscorbutic
Product or use
Antitussive
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Cardiotonic
Product or use
Demulcent
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Vermifuge

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A semi-drying oil is obtained from the seed[6]. Yields are not given[K]. The leaves have been stored with corn to prevent it from going bad[7].

Product or use
Preservative

Environment

Range
Europe to Asia. Possibly native to Britain[2].
Habitat
Waste ground and roadsides[2].
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 very little information on the needs of this species but, judging by its habitat it should succeed in most soils in a fairly sunny position.

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩

  4. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  5. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  7. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  8. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩

  9. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  10. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  11. Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00

  12. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  13. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩

  14. Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press 1967-00-00 ISBN 0-8623-0343-9

    ↩1↩2

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