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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Descurainia sophia is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft). 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 moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Sisymbrium sophia.
Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves Seed Shoots
Edible Uses: Condiment
Young leaves and shoots - cooked[105, 272]. A bitter flavour[85]. Used as a potherb[183, 257]. Seed - raw or cooked[46]. A pungent taste, it is used as a mustard substitute[61, 74, 105, 183]. The seed can be ground into a powder, mixed with cornmeal and used to make bread, or as a thickening for soups etc[61, 85, 183]. It can also be sprouted and added to salads etc[183]. A nourishing and cooling beverage can be made by mixing the ground up seeds with water to make a thin batter[257]. The seed contains 25.5 - 29.9% protein, 26.9 - 39.7% fat and 3.6 - 3.9% ash on a zero moisture basis[218].
References More on Edible Uses
| Composition
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| Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.
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Seed (Dry weight)
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- 0 Calories per 100g
- Water : 0%
- Protein: 27.5g; Fat: 33g; Carbohydrate: 0g; Fibre: 0g; Ash: 3.7g;
- Minerals - Calcium: 0mg; Phosphorus: 0mg; Iron: 0mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 0mg; Potassium: 0mg; Zinc: 0mg;
- Vitamins - A: 0mg; Thiamine (B1): 0mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0mg; Niacin: 0mg; B6: 0mg; C: 0mg;
- Reference: [ 218]
- Notes: The figures given here are median figures of a range that was given in the report.
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Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiasthmatic Antiscorbutic Antitussive Astringent Cardiotonic Demulcent Diuretic Dysentery
Febrifuge Laxative Poultice Vermifuge
A poultice of the plant has been used to ease the pain of toothache[257]. The juice of the plant has been used in the treatment of chronic coughs, hoarseness and ulcerated sore throats[4]. A strong decoction of the plant has proved excellent in the treatment of asthma[4]. The flowers and the leaves are antiscorbutic and astringent[218, 240]. The seed is considered to be cardiotonic, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, laxative, restorative and tonic[218, 240]. It is used in the treatment of asthma, fevers, bronchitis, oedema and dysentery[176, 240]. It is also used in the treatment of worms and calculus complaints[240]. It is decocted with other herbs for treating various ailments[218]. The seeds have formed a special remedy for sciatica[4]. A poultice of the ground up seeds has been used on burns and sores[257].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Preservative
A semi-drying oil is obtained from the seed[240]. Yields are not given[K]. The leaves have been stored with corn to prevent it from going bad[257]. D. sophia is a tertiary genetic relative of rape (Brassica napus) (Warwick et al. 2009). Given its moderate palatability to livestock (Pfister et al., 1990), this species is likely to have limited economic value for animal husbandry [1d].
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
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 Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
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Propagation
Seed - sow spring in situ.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Flaxweed tansymustard; flixweed tansymustard; herb-Sophia; herb-sophia; pinnate tansymustard. Spanish: ajenjo loco; ajenjo serifio; hieba de la sabiduría; hierba de los cirujanos; Sofia. French: descurainie sagesse; sagesse-des-chirurgiens; sisymbre sagesse. Portuguese: erva-Sofia. China: bo niang hao. Denmark: barberforstand; finbladet vejsennep. England and Wales: piblys. Finland: litutilli. Germany: Besenrauke; Sophienkraut. Iceland: Þefjurt. Italy: erba Sofia. Japan: kujira-gusa. Korea, Republic of: jaessug. Netherlands: Sofiekruid. Norway: hundesennep. Scotland: finéal muire. Spain: herba de la sabiduria; herba de Santa Sofia. Sweden: stillfrö. Also: Khubkallana, Masino tori jhar, Mihao, Thale cress, Yinchen.
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bhutan, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, England, Estonia, Europe, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Siberia, Slovakia, South America, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, USA, Uzbekistan, Yugoslavia.
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Classified as a noxious weed in Colorado and Minnesota, USA as well as in Canada. It is considered invasive in Mexico, Japan, Republic of Korea, Chile and Australia. an annual pioneer herb that colonises disturbed sites and is adapted to growing in dry environments. It is also a crop pest and can facilitate the establishment of other introduced species [1d].
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
(L.)Webb. ex Prantl.
Botanical References
1760
Links / References
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