Origin and Common Names
Descurainia richardsonii O.E. Schulz ssp. incisa (Engelm.) Detling, commonly known as Richardson's tansy-mustard or incised tansy-mustard, is native to North America, particularly in western and central regions of Canada and the United States. It can be found in various habitats, including grasslands, rocky slopes, and disturbed areas.General Appearance
This herbaceous annual plant typically grows up to 60 centimeters tall and has a slender stem that branches towards the top. Its leaves are divided into many small, linear segments and are up to 8 centimeters long. The flowers of the plant are tiny and yellow, appearing in inflorescences ranging from compact to elongated clusters. Its seeds are small, brown, and oblong shaped, measuring 1.5 to 2 millimeters in length.Uses
Richardson's tansy-mustard has been traditionally used by various indigenous communities as food, medicine, and dye. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, and the seeds can be ground into flour. Its extracts have been used to treat respiratory ailments, fever, and wounds. The plant also has potential uses in land restoration and soil erosion control due to its ability to grow in disturbed habitats. However, caution should be taken when using this plant as some studies have suggested that it may contain toxic compounds and can cause digestive upset in livestock when consumed in large quantities.Growth Conditions for Descurainia richardsonii O.E. Schulz ssp. incisa (Engelm.) Detling
Light Requirements: Descurainia richardsonii O.E. Schulz ssp. incisa (Engelm.) Detling plants grow well in areas with full sun exposure. They often grow in open areas without much shade coverage. In their natural habitat, these plants can be found growing in rocky slopes, crevices, and along the banks of streams.
Soil Requirements: D. richardsonii plants prefer well-drained soils that are rich in organic matter. These plants are often found growing in sandy or gravelly soils, and can tolerate soils with low fertility and high salinity levels. The pH range for these plants is wide, they can grow well in soils with pH values from 5.5 to 8.5.
Temperature Requirements: D. richardsonii plants mainly grow in the western United States and Canada, and can tolerate a range of temperatures. They can withstand extreme heat and drought conditions, as well as freezing temperatures. However, they grow best in areas with cool to moderate temperatures, and can thrive in regions with temperatures ranging from 5 to 25 °C.
Water Requirements: These plants are highly drought-tolerant and can survive in areas with very little water. However, they also require occasional water to grow and produce flowers. In general, they can tolerate irregular rainfall patterns and grow in arid regions with low precipitation levels.
Nutrient Requirements: D. richardsonii plants are not heavy feeders and can grow in soils with low nutrient levels. They have adapted to growing in harsh environments with limited resources and have developed efficient nutrient uptake mechanisms.
Cultivation methods
Descurainia richardsonii O.E. Schulz ssp. incisa (Engelm.) Detling is a hardy plant that requires minimal maintenance. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and can grow in a variety of soil types. However, it prefers well-draining soil with pH levels ranging from neutral to slightly alkaline.
The plant propagates through seeds, which should be sown directly into the soil in the spring. The seeds should be covered lightly with soil and kept moist until germination, which typically occurs within two to four weeks. Once established, the plants do not require any special care or attention other than occasional watering and fertilization.
Watering needs
Descurainia richardsonii O.E. Schulz ssp. incisa (Engelm.) Detling is a drought-tolerant plant that can survive with minimal watering. However, it does require occasional watering during prolonged dry spells to ensure healthy growth. The plants should be watered deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth.
Avoid overwatering the plant, as this can lead to root rot and other fungal diseases. Monitor the soil moisture level regularly and water only when necessary, depending on the weather conditions and soil type.
Fertilization
Descurainia richardsonii O.E. Schulz ssp. incisa (Engelm.) Detling does not require heavy fertilization. However, the plant responds well to occasional feeding with a balanced fertilizer to promote healthy growth and blooming.
Fertilize the plant once a month during the growing season. Use a slow-release, granular fertilizer applied to the soil around the plant base. Alternatively, use a liquid fertilizer diluted according to the manufacturer's instructions and applied to the plant leaves and soil.
Pruning
Descurainia richardsonii O.E. Schulz ssp. incisa (Engelm.) Detling does not require regular pruning. However, you may trim the plant occasionally to shape it or remove any damaged or diseased parts. Prune the plant during the dormant season or after blooming to minimize stress and encourage healthy growth.
Use clean, sharp pruning shears to make clean cuts, and avoid cutting into the main stem or removing more than one-third of the plant's foliage at once. After pruning, discard the plant debris and sanitize the tools to prevent the spread of diseases.
Propagation of Descurainia richardsonii O.E. Schulz ssp. incisa (Engelm.) Detling
Descurainia richardsonii O.E. Schulz ssp. incisa (Engelm.) Detling, commonly known as the Cutleaf Tansy Mustard, is a hardy plant that is native to the western region of North America. The plant is known for its feathery green leaves and yellow flowers that bloom in the late spring and early summer. Propagation of this plant can be done through several methods.
Propagation through seeds
The easiest way to propagate Descurainia richardsonii is through seeds. Collect the seeds in the late summer or early fall when the seedpods have dried out and turned brown. Spread the seeds on a tray and leave them in a warm, dry location to dry out completely.
After drying, store the seeds in an airtight container until early spring. When it's time to plant the seeds, scatter them over a prepared bed and cover with a light layer of soil. Water the bed regularly until the seeds start to germinate.
Propagation through cuttings
Another method of propagation for Descurainia richardsonii is through cuttings. Take a 3-4 inch stem cutting from a healthy plant in the early summer. Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone. Plant the stem cutting in a pot with moist soil and keep it in a sunny location.
Mist the cutting with water daily until new growth emerges. After several weeks, the cutting should have rooted, and you can transplant it into a larger pot or directly into a garden bed.
Propagation through division
Propagation through division is also possible for Descurainia richardsonii. In the early spring, when new growth appears, dig up the parent plant and divide it into sections. Each section should have its roots and a portion of the stem.
Plant each division in a prepared bed or pot with nutrient-rich soil and water it regularly. Each division should begin to grow into a new plant within a few weeks.
Disease Management
Descurainia richardsonii O.E. Schulz ssp. incisa (Engelm.) Detling, commonly known as cutleaf tansy mustard, is a hardy plant species that is resistant to various diseases. However, just like any other plant species, cutleaf tansy mustard is not immune to diseases. Below are some of the common diseases that might affect this plant and ways to manage them:
- Clubroot: This is a soil-borne disease caused by the fungus Plasmodiophora brassicae. Infected plants often show stunted growth, yellowing leaves, and wilt. The best way to manage clubroot is by practicing crop rotation. Avoid planting any other brassica crop in the same field where the infection occurred for at least three years.
- Fungal leaf spot: This disease is caused by different species of fungi, including Alternaria and Cercospora. Symptoms include yellow and brown spots on the leaves. The best way to manage fungal leaf spot is by removing and destroying all infected plant debris. Ensure that the plant has enough space to facilitate air movement as high humidity facilitates fungal growth. Fungicide application can also be an option.
Pest Management
There are several pests that might attack cutleaf tansy mustard. Below are some of the common pests that might affect this plant and ways to manage them:
- Cabbage looper: This is a common pest that feeds on the leaves. The larvae are green and have a looping characteristic movement. The best way to manage cabbage looper is by applying Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or spinosad-based insecticides. Ensure that the entire plant is covered with the insecticide.
- Diamondback moth: This pest also feeds on the leaves and can cause significant damage to the plant. The larvae are green and have a distinct diamond-shaped pattern. The best way to manage diamondback moth is by introducing natural predators such as parasitic wasps. Insecticides can also be used as a last resort.
