''Descurainia sophia'' is a member of the family Brassicaceae. Common names include flixweed, herb-Sophia and tansy mustard. It reproduces by

seeds A seed is an embryonic plant enclosed in a protective outer covering, along with a food reserve. The formation of the seed is a part of the process of reproduction in seed plants, the spermatophytes, including the gymnosperm and angiosperm pl ...

. It is a dominant weed in dark brown prairie and black prairie soils of southern Alberta. Its

stem Stem or STEM may refer to: Plant structures * Plant stem, a plant's aboveground axis, made of vascular tissue, off which leaves and flowers hang * Stipe (botany), a stalk to support some other structure * Stipe (mycology), the stem of a mushro ...

is erect, branched, and high. It was once given to patients with dysentery and called by ancient herbalists ''Sophia Chirurgorum'', "The Wisdom of Surgeons". It is the type species of the genus ''Descurainia'' (named for French botanist and herbalist

François Descurain François () is a French masculine given name and surname, equivalent to the English name Francis. People with the given name * Francis I of France, King of France (), known as "the Father and Restorer of Letters" * Francis II of France, King o ...

(1658–1749)) and of the rejected genus ''Sophia'' Adans.

Culinary use

In Iran, the seeds are called ''khak-e shir'' (''khakshir''), and khak-e shir drinks are traditionally favored as thirst quencher during hot summer days. Khakshir is also considered a medicinal substance in traditional Iranian medicine, consumed in varying combinations with other herbs and substances to gain effects ranging from antidiuretic to aphrodisiac. China has a tradition of eating this plant, and its eating method is recorded in the '' Jiuhuang Bencao''.

Cultural

In German, it is called the ''Sophienkraut'' and associated with

Saint Sophia of Rome Saint Sophia of Rome is venerated as a Christian martyr. She is identified in hagiographical tradition with the figure of Sophia of Milan, the mother of Saints Faith, Hope and Charity, whose veneration is attested for the sixth century. Howeve ...

, who was invoked against late frosts.

References

sophia Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek. It may refer to: *Sophia (wisdom) *Sophia (Gnosticism) *Sophia (given name) Places *Niulakita or Sophia, an island of Tuvalu *Sophia, Georgetown, a ward of Georgetown, Guyana *Sophia, North Carolina, an unincorpor ...

Plants described in 1753 Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus Flora of Malta {{Brassicales-stub