Origin
Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. var. ochroleuca (Woot.) Shinners, commonly known as western tansy mustard, is a species of flowering plant in the mustard family. It is native to western North America and can be found in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
Common Names
This plant is commonly known as western tansy mustard, yellow tansy mustard, crisp tansymustard, mountain tansy mustard, and pale tansy mustard. Its scientific name reflects the contributions of several botanists and plant taxonomists, including William P. C. Barton, Nathaniel A. Ware, and Per Axel Rydberg.
Uses
Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. var. ochroleuca (Woot.) Shinners has several traditional and medicinal uses. Indigenous people used its seeds for food and oil while others utilized its leaves as a herbal remedy for respiratory problems and other ailments. Western tansy mustard may also serve as a source of nectar and pollen for pollinators such as honeybees and butterflies. Additionally, the plant is sometimes used as an ornamental because of its delicate, yellow flowers.
General Appearance
Western tansy mustard is an annual or biennial plant that typically grows up to 60 cm tall. It has finely divided leaves that are greenish-gray and hairy. The flowers of the plant are small, yellow and bloom between April and September. The elongated, slender pods of the plant contain tiny seeds that are oval and black. The plant thrives in disturbed sites like roadsides and fields and prefers dry and rocky soils.
Growth Conditions for Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. var. ochroleuca (Woot.) Shinners
Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. var. ochroleuca (Woot.) Shinners, commonly known as western tansymustard, is a herbaceous perennial plant that belongs to the Brassicaceae family. It is commonly found in open grasslands and sagebrush steppes across western North America, including parts of western Canada, the United States and northern Mexico.
Light Requirements
Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. var. ochroleuca (Woot.) Shinners prefers full sun to partial shade. It can tolerate some shade but grows best in full sun. Therefore, it is often found growing in open grasslands and meadows where it can receive plenty of sunlight.
Temperature Requirements
The plant can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. It can grow in areas with cool, moist climates as well as hot, arid climates. However, it grows best in areas with mild to warm temperatures. The ideal temperature range for Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. var. ochroleuca (Woot.) Shinners is between 15°C to 30°C.
Soil Requirements
Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. var. ochroleuca (Woot.) Shinners can grow in a variety of soil types, but it prefers well-drained, sandy or gravelly soils. It can tolerate mildly alkaline soils as well as slightly acidic soils. It is commonly found in dry and rocky soils in prairies and rocky outcrops.
Cultivation Methods
Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. var. ochroleuca (Woot.) Shinners, commonly known as western tansy mustard, is a hardy and drought-tolerant plant that is easy to cultivate. It is mainly grown from seed, which should be sowed in early spring after the danger of frost has passed. The seeds can be sown directly in the garden bed or started indoors and later transplanted to the garden.
The plant prefers full sun and well-drained soil but can tolerate a wide range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and rocky soils. It is also tolerant of heat and cold and can grow in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9.
Watering Needs
Descurainia pinnata var. ochroleuca is a drought-tolerant plant that requires minimal watering. Once established, it can survive on natural rainfall alone, but occasional watering during prolonged dry spells can help the plant thrive. Watering should be done deeply and infrequently to encourage deep rooting and prevent waterlogging.
Fertilization
Descurainia pinnata var. ochroleuca is not a heavy feeder and can do well without fertilizer. However, a light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring can promote healthy growth and flowering. The fertilizer should be applied sparingly, as over-fertilization can lead to excessive foliage growth and reduced flowering.
Pruning
Descurainia pinnata var. ochroleuca requires little pruning to maintain its shape. However, removing spent flowers and occasionally cutting back leggy stems can help promote bushier growth and prolong flowering. The plant can be cut back to the ground after flowering to encourage a second flush of growth and flowering later in the season.
Propagation methods of Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. var. ochroleuca (Woot.) Shinners
Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. var. ochroleuca (Woot.) Shinners, commonly known as ochroleuca tansymustard, is a drought-tolerant plant that is native to the western United States. It is grown for its ornamental value and its medicinal properties. Here are several methods for propagating Descurainia pinnata.
Seeds
Seeds are the easiest and most common way to propagate Descurainia pinnata. Collect seeds after the plant has finished flowering and the seed pods have turned brown. Sow the seeds in well-drained soil in the spring after the last frost. Plant them one inch deep and three inches apart. Keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate, which can take up to a month.
Cuttings
Descurainia pinnata can also be propagated using stem cuttings. Take cuttings in the spring or summer from healthy, mature plants. Cut a six-inch section of the stem, ensuring that it has at least two nodes. Remove the lower leaves and cut the top leaves in half to reduce moisture loss. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone and plant it in well-draining soil. Keep the soil moist and place the cutting in a humid environment, such as a plastic bag or a propagator. Roots should develop within six to eight weeks.
Division
Dividing mature Descurainia pinnata plants is another method of propagation. In the spring, dig up the plant and remove the soil from the roots. Gently separate the plant into several sections, ensuring that each section has a healthy root system. Replant the sections in well-draining soil and water thoroughly. Keep the soil moist until new growth appears.
Disease Management
Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. var. ochroleuca (Woot.) Shinners may be vulnerable to various diseases. The following are some of the most common diseases that might affect the plant:
- Clubroot: This is a fungal disease that causes distorted or swollen roots, stunted growth, and yellow leaves. To manage clubroot, rotate the crops and grow resistant cultivars.
- Downy Mildew: This disease causes yellow spots on the leaves and a white fluffy growth underneath the leaves. To manage downy mildew, apply fungicides or destroy the infected plants.
- White Rust: This is a fungal disease that causes white patches on the leaves and stems. To manage white rust, apply fungicides and destroy the infected plants.
- Powdery Mildew: This disease causes a white powdery growth on the leaves, stems, and flowers. To manage powdery mildew, apply fungicides and prune the infected parts.
Pest Management
Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. var. ochroleuca (Woot.) Shinners may also be vulnerable to various pests. The following are some of the most common pests that might affect the plant:
- Aphids: These are small, sap-sucking insects that cause curled leaves and stunted growth. To manage aphids, apply insecticidal soap or biological control agents.
- Cabbage Looper: This pest is a green caterpillar that feeds on leaves and causes holes on them. To manage cabbage loopers, apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or spinosad.
- Leafhoppers: These are winged insects that feed on the sap of the plant and cause yellowing of the leaves. To manage leafhoppers, apply insecticides or remove the weeds in the garden.
- Spider Mites: These are tiny insects that feed on the leaves and cause discoloration. To manage spider mites, apply insecticidal soap or prune the infected parts.
