Mountain Tansy Mustard
Descurainia incana

Family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae

What it is like

Descurainia incana is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 1

Where it is found

Found in many habitats at lower mountain elevations.

Western N. America. A casual in Britain.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Young leaves - cooked. A bitter taste. Seed - raw or cooked. The seed can be used as a mustard substitute in soups, stews etc. It can be roasted, ground into a powder then mixed with water to make a fine batter and drunk. The seed is also ground into a meal and mixed with cereal flours when making bread, or as a thickening for soups etc.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The plant has been used as a lotion for parts of the body that have become frozen in the cold and also as a lotion for sore throats. No more information is given, but it is likely that the crushed seed was used for this since, being similar to mustard, it will probably have a rubefacient effect upon the skin, drawing more blood to that area of the body and thereby heating it. The plant is mashed and applied to bad cuts.

Poultice: A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

We have almost no information on this species but since it is a casual in Britain there should be no problems in cultivating it here and it is probably not too fussy about soil or situation. We suggest growing it in a dry to moist soil in a sunny position. There is some confusion as to the correct name for this species with some authorities using the name D. richardsonii.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in situ.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual/Biennial

Hardiness:

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

D. richardsonii. (Sw.)Schulz. Sophia incisa.