Western Tansymustard

Biological Name:

Descurainia sophia (Western-Tansymustard)

Natural Habitat:

Western tansymustard is a type of flowering plant that is native to Western North America. It is typically found in areas with dry, rocky soils, such as open woodlands and grasslands.

Description:

Western-Tansymustard is an annual herb that is native to North America. It has small yellow or white flowers and long narrow leaves. It is often found in dry open areas and is a common weed in agricultural fields.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is western tansy mustard edible?
A: The seed pods are an interesting nibble and can be pickled but they are tiny. The seeds are edible raw or cooked and have been used as piñole. The seeds can also be used to flavor soups, as a condiment ground into a powder mixed with cornmeal, used to make bread or to thicken soups and stews.
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Q: Is tansy mustard toxic?
A: Poisoning in humans is not uncommon. Tansy mustard (Descurainia pinnata) is an annual weed that grows on dry, sandy soils in arid areas. Intoxication occurs primarily in cattle only after large amounts of this plant have been eaten over extended periods of time.
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Q: How toxic is tansy?
A: Jacobaea vulgaris, Asteraceae Family Tansy ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris), a regulated Class B noxious weed, is a toxic biennial found throughout King County, especially on open, sunny sites such as in pastures and on roadsides. Eating it can sicken or even kill cattle, horses, some goats, pets, and people.
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Q: Is western tansy mustard poisonous to dogs?
A: Harmful content: Even though tansy is used as a natural insect repellent and sometimes as a culinary herb or alcohol flavoring, the thujone content of common tansy makes the leaves and flowers particularly toxic to dogs.
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Q: Is tansy poisonous to touch?
A: Despite historically being commonly used as a flavoring, bitter-tasting tansy contains a toxic essential oil that can cause liver and brain damage and even kill humans and other animals. On a less lethal level, it can also prompt an allergic reaction in some individuals when touching the leaves.
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Q: What is tansy used for medicinally?
A: Tansy is used for digestive tract problems including stomach and intestinal ulcers, certain gallbladder conditions, migraines, nerve pain, joint pain, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using tansy might also cause toxic effects.
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Q: What is tansy good for in the garden?
A: Uses for tansy Tansy is a beneficial companion plant for most crops, from cabbage, kale, broccoli and cauliflower, to cucumbers, squash and even potatoes. Its camphor-scented foliage helps to repel pests, while its bright yellow button flowers attract pollinators and beneficial insects to the garden.
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Q: What does tansy mustard look like?
A: Flowers are up to 1/8 inch across with 4 spreading to ascending, spoon-shaped, yellow petals alternating with 4 egg-shaped yellow sepals that are slightly shorter than the petals. In the center is a stout style surrounded by 6 yellow stamens about as long as the petals.
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Q: Can you touch tansy?
A: Despite historically being commonly used as a flavoring, bitter-tasting tansy contains a toxic essential oil that can cause liver and brain damage and even kill humans and other animals. On a less lethal level, it can also prompt an allergic reaction in some individuals when touching the leaves.
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Q: What is tansy plant good for?
A: Tansy is used for digestive tract problems including stomach and intestinal ulcers, certain gallbladder conditions, migraines, nerve pain, joint pain, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using tansy might also cause toxic effects.
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Q: What are the benefits of tansy?
A: Tansy is also used to treat roundworm and threadworm infections in children. Other uses include treatment of epileptic seizures, colds, fever, hysteria, gout, kidney problems, and tuberculosis. It is also used to kill lice and bacteria; promote sweating; calm the nerves; and act as an antioxidant, tonic, and stimulant.
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About the author

Samuel is a gardening professional and enthusiast who has spent over 20 years advising homeowners and farm owners on weed identification, prevention and removal. He has an undergraduate degree in plant and soil science from Michigan State University.