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rockcress
Scientific Name: Arabis
Family: Brassicaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Rock Cress: A Carpet of Spring Color
Rock Cress, a common name for plants in the Arabis and Aubrieta genera, offers a beautiful display of color in the spring. Often used as a ground cover, it's known for its ability to thrive in challenging environments, bringing life to rock gardens and pathways.
Considerations for Pets
- Rock Cress is a member of the Brassica family.
- The text mentions it can be fed to tortoises in moderation due to its goitrogen content. Goitrogens can interfere with iodine uptake.
Considerations for Children
- The text mentions that the leaves and flowers of some Rock Cress varieties are edible, cooked or raw.
Nomenclature and Taxonomy
- Common Name: Rock Cress
- The name Rock Cress is typically associated with the genera Arabis and Aubrieta, both belonging to the Brassicaceae (mustard) family.
- Synonyms or related species mentioned include:
- Arabis alpina (Alpine Rockcress)
- Arabis caucasica (Wall rock cress or garden arabis)
- Arabis georgiana (Georgia Rockcress)
- Arabis holboellii (Holboell's Rockcress)
- Arabis macdonaldiana (McDonald's rockcress)
- Arabis pulchra (Prince's rock cress, beautiful rock cress)
- Aubrieta deltoidea
- Boechera laevigata (Smooth rockcress)
- Phlebolobium maclovianum (Falkland Rock-cress)
Distribution and Habitat
- Rock Cress is found all over the U.S. and in other parts of the world.
- Arabis caucasica (Wall rock cress) is native to southeastern Europe.
- Rock Cress is often found in rocky environments. Some varieties, like Smooth Rockcress (Boechera laevigata), grow in rocky woods, floodplains, and thickets.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Rock Cress forms a low carpet of evergreen leaves and tufted rosettes covered with white down.
- It is an herbaceous perennial, forming cushions of flowers.
- Wall rock cress (Arabis caucasica) reaches about 30 cm (1 foot) in height.
Ecological Role
- McDonald's rockcress (Arabis macdonaldiana) is an endangered species.
- Georgia Rockcress (Arabis georgiana) is a threatened species.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Arabis holboellii (Holboell's Rockcress) is a favorite of honey bees, providing abundant nectar.
Uses in Gardens
- Rock Cress is an excellent evergreen ground cover.
- It is suitable for rock gardens, dry banks, between flagstones, and along pathways.
- It's used as edging for beds or lawns.
Quirky Facts
- Rock Cress is described as thriving on "tough love," preferring hot, dry cracks between stones.
Further Resources
- HowStuffWorks is mentioned as a source of information.
- RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) is mentioned in relation to Arabis procurrens 'Variegata'.
- ARKive is mentioned as a source of photos and facts on Troodos rockcress.
- Healthgrades is listed as a source of information for Dr. Timothy Rockcress.