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:
- 80 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- 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:
- birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Pioneer species that colonizes disturbed and burned areas; does not require fire but benefits from post-fire conditions.
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:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment. Light may enhance germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI