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Descurainia sophia

Species category

Weed

Common name

herb sophia

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

Oblong

Size

  • Length 1 mm
  • Width 0.5 mm
  • Thickness 0.3 mm

Color

Yellowish-brown

Texture

Fine reticulations

Other structures

Longitudinal groove between the lobes.

Identification notes

Seeds are compressed ovals and similar to D. pinnata, but the reticulations are not as distinct, and an indentation between the radicleRadicle:
The rudimentary root of the embryo, developing into the primary root after emergence from the seed coat.
 and cotyledonCotyledon:
The modified storage leaf or pair of leaves of an embryo and seedling (see primary leaf).
 lobes is present. Color is yellowish-brown.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Brassicaceae

Valid name

Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl

Synonyms

Sisymbrium sophia L.
Sophia sophia (L.) Britton, nom. inval.

From Left to Right: 1. Descurainia sophia 2. Descurainia pinnata 3. Capsella brusa-pastoris . Seeds with an indentation between the radicle and cotyledon lobes.
From Left to Right: 1. Descurainia sophia 2. Descurainia pinnata 3. Capsella brusa-pastoris. Seeds with an indentation between the radicle and cotyledon lobes.
Descurainia sophia. Yellowish-brown seeds with a longitudinal groove between the lobes. 
Descurainia sophia. Yellowish-brown seeds with a longitudinal groove between the lobes.