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Descurainia sophia
  • Flixweed

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

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • ?
    Unknown
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Descurainia sophia has 0 edible uses listed
Descurainia sophia has 0 material uses listed
Descurainia sophia has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Young leaves and shoots - cooked[1][2]. A bitter flavour[3]. Used as a potherb[4][5]. Seed - raw or cooked[6]. A pungent taste, it is used as a mustard substitute[7][8][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[7][3][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[5]. The seed contains 25.5 - 29.9% protein, 26.9 - 39.7% fat and 3.6 - 3.9% ash on a zero moisture basis[9].

Unknown part

Condiment

Leaves

Unknown use

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

A semi-drying oil is obtained from the seed[10]. Yields are not given[K]. The leaves have been stored with corn to prevent it from going bad[5].

Unknown part

Preservative

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

A poultice of the plant has been used to ease the pain of toothache[5].

The juice of the plant has been used in the treatment of chronic coughs, hoarseness and ulcerated sore throats[11]. A strong decoction of the plant has proved excellent in the treatment of asthma[11]. The flowers and the leaves are antiscorbutic and astringent[9][10]. The seed is considered to be cardiotonic, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, laxative, restorative and tonic[9][10]. It is used in the treatment of asthma, fevers, bronchitis, oedema and dysentery[12][10]. It is also used in the treatment of worms and calculus complaints[10]. It is decocted with other herbs for treating various ailments[9]. The seeds have formed a special remedy for sciatica[11].

A poultice of the ground up seeds has been used on burns and sores[5].

Unknown part

Antiasthmatic
Antiscorbutic
Antitussive
Astringent
Cardiotonic
Demulcent
Diuretic
Febrifuge
Laxative
Poultice
Vermifuge

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Descurainia sophia. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

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.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Descurainia sophia. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Descurainia sophia.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Descurainia sophia
Genus
Descurainia
Family
Brassicaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Medicinal uses
[5][11][9][10][12]
Material uses & Functions
[10][5]
Botanic
[13][14]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
?
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    annual, biennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.9 x meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Self
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    "image:Descurainia sophia eF.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Descurainia sophia eF.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Descurainia sophia eF.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Descurainia sophia eF.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Descurainia sophia eF.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Descurainia sophia eF.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Descurainia sophia eF.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Descurainia sophia eF.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Descurainia sophia eF.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Descurainia sophia eF.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-527-6 (2002-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press ISBN 0-8623-0343-9 (1967-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.55.65.7 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.2 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation (1968-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.49.5 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.510.6 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)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles (1985-00-00)
    13. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
    14. ? Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press (1955-00-00)

    "image:Descurainia sophia eF.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Descurainia_sophia&oldid=76843"
    Facts about "Descurainia sophia"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyBrassicaceae +
    Belongs to genusDescurainia +
    Has common nameFlixweed +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +, Leaves + and Seeds +
    Has edible useSeasoning + and Unknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile + and Self +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has imageDescurainia sophia eF.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typeAnnual + and Biennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material usePreservative +
    Has mature height0.9 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntiasthmatic +, Antiscorbutic +, Antitussive +, Astringent +, Cardiotonic +, Demulcent +, Diuretic +, Febrifuge +, Laxative +, Poultice + and Vermifuge +
    Has primary imageDescurainia sophia eF.jpg +
    Has search namedescurainia sophia + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameDescurainia sophia +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +