Descurainia pinnata
| Descurainia pinnata | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Descurainia pinnata (common name: tansy mustard)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in situ.
Cultivation: 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.
Range: Western N. America.
Habitat: Most areas and situations[1], usually in dry soils[2].
Edibility: Young leaves - cooked[3][4][5][2][6]. A bitter flavour[5]. Eaten as greens in the spring, they are said to have a salty flavour[7][8].
The seedpods make an interesting mustard-flavoured nibble[6].
Seed - raw or cooked. Used as a piñole[8]. The seed has a mustard flavour and can be used to flavour soups or as a condiment with corn[9][8]. The seed can also ground into a powder, mixed with cornmeal and used to make bread, or as a thickening for soups etc[5][9][2][6]. In Mexico the seeds are made into a refreshing drink with lime juice, claret and syrup[4][6].
Medicinal: Diuretic, expectorant, poultice[2].
The ground up seeds have been used in the treatment of stomach complaints[8].
A poultice of the plant has been used to ease the pain of toothache[8]. An infusion of the leaves has been used as a wash on sores[8].
Pollinators: Self
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The plant is said t be toxic to livestock, causing symptoms similar to selenium poisoning[10]. Known as blind staggers or paralyzed tongue, the animals can become blind, wander aimlessly and lose the ability to swallow[10].
Also Known As: Sisymbrium canescens. Walt. Sophia halictorum. S. pinnata.
Links
References
- ↑ Hitchcock, Leo. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, 1955.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Sweet, Muriel. Common Edible and Useful Plants of the West. Naturegraph Co, 1962.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Harrington, Harold. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press, 1967.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Whiting, Alfred. Ethnobotany of the Hopi. North Arizona Society of Science and Art, 1939.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Balls, Edward. Early Uses of Californian Plants. University of California Press, 1975.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Diggs, George and Barney Lipscomb. Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas. Botanical Research Institute, 1999.