Tansy mustard (Descurainia pinnata, Mem. Torrey Bot. Club 5: 173 (1894))

Family: Brassicaceae

Author: (Walter) Britton

Bibliography: Mem. Torrey Bot. Club 5: 173 (1894)

Year: 1894

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Descurainia

Vegetable: False

Observations: N. America

Description

Tansy mustard, scientifically known as Descurainia pinnata, is a fascinating plant belonging to the Brassicaceae family. This versatile plant is native to North America, where it can be found thriving in a wide range of habitats, from prairies and grasslands to disturbed sites such as roadsides and vacant lots.

Characterized by its finely divided, feathery leaves, Tansy mustard possesses a delicate, airy appearance that belies its hardiness and adaptability. The plant typically produces small, yellow flowers arranged in racemes, contributing to its understated yet elegant presence in its natural environment. These flowers give way to slender seed pods that contain the seeds for the next generation of plants.

Tansy mustard has an interesting place in ecological systems. Not only does it provide a nectar source for various pollinators, including bees and butterflies, but its seeds also serve as food for certain bird species. The plant’s ability to colonize disturbed areas also makes it an important pioneer species, helping to stabilize soil and pave the way for the establishment of other vegetation.

Historically noted in Britton’s work from 1894, as documented in the Memoirs of the Torrey Botanical Club, Tansy mustard has been recognized for its botanical significance for well over a century. Its resilient nature and ecological contributions make it a valuable species within its native range.

Whether observed for its subtle beauty or its ecological roles, Descurainia pinnata, or Tansy mustard, undoubtedly holds a noteworthy place in the botanical world of North America.

Common Names

Eng: green tansymustard, pinnate tansy mustard, pinnate tansymustard, tansy mustard, tansymustard, western tansy mustard, western tansymustard, green tansy mustard, tansy-mustard
Fra: moutarde tanaisie, moutarde-tanaisie verte
Swe: indianstillfrö
En: Tansy mustard, Western tansy mustard, Western tansymustard, PINNATE TANSYMUSTARD, Green tansymustard, Pinnate tansy mustard, Tansymustard, Tansy-mustard, Green tansy mustard
Fi: Sirolitutilli
Fr: Moutarde tanaisie, Moutarde-tanaisie verte
Sv: Indianstillfrö

Synonyms

• Sophia pinnata ((Walter) Howell)
• Erysimum pinnatum (Walter)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Mexican Pacific Is. (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Québec (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Utah (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Jan 17, 2016 by EOL − Jesse Rorabaugh (cc-by)

Taken Jan 17, 2016 by EOL − Jesse Rorabaugh (cc-by)

Taken Mar 23, 2016 by EOL − ellen hildebrandt (cc-by-nc)

Taken Mar 23, 2016 by EOL − ellen hildebrandt (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 8, 2020 by Riley L (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 10, 2020 by Lucile Roche (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2019 by Kuzma Kristal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2022 by Natalia Turanza (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 27, 2022 by Laura Gosewisch (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2020 by Kristine S. (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Feb 2, 2016 by EOL − James Bailey (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 16, 2016 by EOL − Cedric Lee (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 6, 2020 by Ourdou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2022 by Natalia Turanza (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2020 by Riley L (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 8, 2019 by Colorado Natural (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Feb 29, 2016 by EOL − Steve Jones (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 17, 2016 by EOL − Jesse Rorabaugh (cc-by)

Taken Jun 13, 2019 by Kuzma Kristal (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Dec 4, 2019 by Mailhos Santiago (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 15, 2005 by EOL − Brent Miller (cc-by-nc-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3044133)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:78208-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Descurainia pinnata (Walter) Britton)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth