Descurainia sophia is a member of the mustard family. Common names include flixweed, herb-Sophia and tansy mustard. It reproduces by seeds. Its stem is erect, branched, and 4 to 30 inches high. It was once given to patients suffering from dysentery and called by ancient herbalists Sophia Chirurgorum, "The Wisdom of Surgeons," on account of its healing properties. It is the type species of the genus Descurainia and of the rejected genus Sophia Adans. In German, it is called the Sophienkraut and associated with Saint Sophia of Rome, who was invoked against late frosts.