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Flixweed (Descurainlia sophin)

picture of flixweed

Flixweed, a member of the Mustard family, is very similar and often confused with tansymustard [Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt]. It is an introduced annual or winter annual which reproduces by seeds. The stem is erect, branched, and 4 to 30 inches high. The leaves are alternate, 2 to 4 inches long, dissected to give a lacey appearance. The stem and leaves are covered with fine hairs. The flowers are small, pale yellow, and occur in small clusters at the tips of elongated racemes. The seed pods are 1/4 to 3/4 inches long and on a stalk. Tansymustard seed pods are shorter and fatter.

Flixweed is widely distributed and one of the first weeds to appear in spring. Most of the (Decurainia) in the state is flixweed, rather than tansymustard. It grows in pastures, cultivated areas, along roadsides, and in waste areas. It is becoming an increasing problem in alfalfa fields. It is scattered across Colorado up to 8,000 feet.

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