Overview
Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. ssp. ochroleuca (Woot.) Detling, also known as yellow tansy mustard, is a biennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the mustard family. It is native to North America, specifically found in the Southwest, the Great Plains, and the Rocky Mountains regions.
General Appearance
The Descurainia pinnata plant can grow up to 3 feet tall, and its leaves are pinnate with small leaflets that are oblong and toothed. The flowers are small and bright yellow, appearing in clusters at the tip of the stems. After pollination, they form long, thin seed pods that can be 2-3 inches long.
Common names
Descurainia pinnata is commonly referred to as yellow tansy mustard, western tansymustard, and American tansy mustard. The plant also goes by the names of greens, fines, and flaming cabbages.
Uses
The yellow flowers of the Descurainia pinnata plant are edible and can be used as a garnish, or boiled and added to salads. The young leaves can also be eaten, either cooked or raw. The plant has been used by indigenous people in medicinal treatment for a variety of ailments including coughs, colds, and fever. It is also used as a natural insecticide and as a companion plant, attracting beneficial insects like bees and butterflies to gardens and nearby crops.
Light Requirements
Descurainia pinnata ssp. ochroleuca typically grows in full sun to partial shade. It requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, but can also tolerate some shade. Too much shade may result in weak and spindly plants that are prone to disease.
Temperature Requirements
This plant grows best in cool to moderately warm temperatures. It can tolerate frost and temperatures as low as -10°C (14°F). However, it may not survive extremely hot or dry seasons, and is best grown in areas with mild temperatures between 10-25°C (50-77°F).
Soil Requirements
Descurainia pinnata ssp. ochroleuca can grow in a variety of soil types, but prefers well-draining soils with a pH between 6.0-8.0. It can tolerate rocky and sandy soils, and can grow in soils with low to moderate levels of fertility. However, it does not do well in heavy clay soils or soils that are overly wet or waterlogged. It is also sensitive to salt, so it should not be grown in areas with high levels of salt content in the soil or water.
Cultivation of Descurainia pinnata ssp. ochroleuca
Descurainia pinnata ssp. ochroleuca is a hardy plant that thrives in a wide range of growing conditions. It is native to North America and can be found in a variety of habitats, from deserts to grasslands.
When planting Descurainia pinnata ssp. ochroleuca, it is best to do so in the spring or fall. The plant prefers well-draining soil and full sun. It can tolerate some shade, but too much can reduce its growth and flowering.
When planting, ensure that the soil is loose and well-draining. The plant should be placed level with the ground and the soil firmly packed around it. Water the plant immediately after planting to help settle the soil.
Watering Needs
Descurainia pinnata ssp. ochroleuca is drought-tolerant and can survive in low-water conditions. However, it does need regular watering to thrive and produce healthy growth and flowers.
The plant should be watered deeply once a week during the growing season, with the soil being soaked to a depth of at least 4 inches. The topsoil should be allowed to dry out between watering, as the plant does not like to be waterlogged.
Fertilization
Descurainia pinnata ssp. ochroleuca does not require regular fertilization to grow well and produce flowers. However, a light application of slow-release fertilizer in the spring can help promote healthy growth and flowering.
Before applying fertilizer, ensure that the soil is moist, and the plant is not stressed. Apply the fertilizer following the package instructions, being careful not to overapply.
Pruning
Descurainia pinnata ssp. ochroleuca does not require regular pruning to grow well. However, occasional pruning can help to shape the plant and improve its appearance.
Prune the plant in early spring before new growth begins. Remove any dead or damaged wood and shape the plant as desired. Be careful not to prune too much, as this can reduce flowering.
Propagation Methods for Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. ssp. ochroleuca (Woot.) Detling
Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. ssp. ochroleuca (Woot.) Detling, commonly known as western tansy mustard, is a flowering plant native to North America. It is an annual or biennial herb that grows up to 4 feet tall and is commonly found in dry, open areas such as prairies and rocky slopes.
Propagation of Descurainia pinnata can be done through seeds or cuttings. Here are the steps to propagate the plant using each method:
Propagation by seeds
The most common way to propagate Descurainia pinnata is through seeds. Here are the steps to propagate the plant using seeds:
- Collect the mature seeds from the plant in the fall once they've turned brown.
- Remove the chaff and store the seeds in a cool, dry place over the winter.
- In early spring, sow the seeds directly into the soil or in pots indoors.
- If planting the seeds outdoors, make sure to choose a sunny location with well-draining soil. Plant the seeds ¼ inch deep and water regularly.
- If starting seeds indoors, plant them in pots with a well-draining soil mix. Keep the soil moist and place the pots in a warm location with plenty of natural light.
- Once the seedlings have developed several leaves, transplant them into larger pots or the outdoor garden.
Propagation by cuttings
Propagation of Descurainia pinnata can also be done through stem cuttings. Here are the steps to propagate the plant using cuttings:
- Take a stem cutting from a mature plant in the spring or summer.
- Remove the lower leaves, leaving only the top leaves intact.
- Dip the end of the cutting in a rooting hormone.
- Plant the cutting in a pot filled with a well-draining soil mix.
- Water the cutting regularly and place it in a warm location with plenty of natural light.
- Once the cutting has developed roots, transplant it into a larger pot or the outdoor garden.
Overall, Descurainia pinnata is a relatively easy plant to propagate through seeds or cuttings. With proper care and attention, you can quickly propagate a new batch of this beautiful plant.
Disease Management for Descurainia Pinnata (Walt.) Britt. Ssp. ochroleuca (Woot.) Detling
Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. ssp. ochroleuca (Woot.) Detling is known to be resistant to most diseases common to plants. However, there are still some diseases that can affect the plant.
One of the most common diseases that can affect this plant is a fungus called white rust. White rust is identified as pustules on the leaves and stems of the plant, and it can cause a significant reduction in yield and quality. To manage white rust, it’s essential to keep the plant’s foliage dry by avoiding overhead watering and removing any affected plants immediately to prevent the spread of the disease.
Another disease that can affect Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. ssp. ochroleuca (Woot.) Detling is blackleg. Blackleg is caused by the fungus Alternaria brassicae, and it causes the plant to wilt and die. To manage blackleg, it’s essential to practice good crop rotation practices, ensuring that the plant is not planted in the same soil for two growing seasons. Sufficient spacing between the plant also helps to reduce the incidence of the disease.
Pest Management for Descurainia Pinnata (Walt.) Britt. Ssp. ochroleuca (Woot.) Detling
Aside from diseases, Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. ssp. ochroleuca (Woot.) Detling can also be affected by pests. Here are some common pests that can attack the plant and ways to manage them.
One of the most common pests that can affect Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. ssp. ochroleuca (Woot.) Detling is aphids. Aphids suck the sap from the plant, causing the foliage to curl and the plant to wilt. To manage aphids, it’s essential to encourage natural predators such as ladybugs and lacewings, or use insecticidal soaps and neem oil.
Another pest that can attack Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. ssp. ochroleuca (Woot.) Detling is flea beetles. Flea beetles chew small holes in the leaves, and with considerable infestation, they can cause significant damage to the plant. To manage flea beetles, it’s essential to practice good sanitation practices, keep the soil moist, and use sticky traps to trap and kill adult beetles.
Finally, cutworms are also pests that can attack Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. ssp. ochroleuca (Woot.) Detling. Cutworms can cause significant damage to the plant by cutting through its stems. To manage cutworms, it’s essential to use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or plant a variety of cover crops.
