Flixweed (Descurainia sophia)

Family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Descurainia sophia is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft). It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves, Shoots

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

pungent taste, it is used as a mustard substitute. — Young leaves and shoots - cooked.; A bitter flavour.; Used as a potherb.; Seed - raw or cooked.

Habitat & North American Range

Waste ground and roadsides. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)