Mountain Tansymustard
Descurainia incana
- Native to:
- Canada, Labrador, United States
iNaturalist: © bethcorbin (iNaturalist #228954543)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Genus:
- Descurainia
- Species:
- Descurainia incana
- USDA Symbol:
- DEIN5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Biennial | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Army cutworm (Euxoa auxiliaris), Becker's white (Pontia beckerii), California Marble (Euchloe hyantis), Large Marble (Euchloe ausonides), Spring white (Pontia sisymbrii), Western white (Pontia occidentalis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, bees
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- dry, rocky, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in arid and semi-arid regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold stratification; surface sow and keep moist.