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park rockcress
Scientific Name: Arabis fernaldiana
Family: Brassicaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Park Rockcress (Arabis fernaldiana) and Relatives
This page provides information about Park Rockcress (Arabis fernaldiana) and related species, including various rockcresses within the Arabis and Boechera genera.
Considerations for Pets
- Several Arabis species, like other members of the Brassicaceae family, are known to grow as low-lying rosettes, or in clumps, which could make them attractive to pets who graze.
Nomenclature and Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Arabis fernaldiana
- Common Name: Park Rockcress, Wall Rock Cress (for A. albinda/A. caucasica), Spreading Rock Cress (for Arabis procurrens 'Variegata'), Coast Rock Cress (for Arabis blepharophylla), Alpine Rock-cress/Snowcap Arabis
- Family: Brassicaceae (Mustard Family or Cruciferae)
- Synonyms:
- Boechera perennans (synonym of Arabis perennans)
- Boechera pulchra (synonym of Arabis pulchra)
- Arabis fernaldiana var. stylosa (S. Watson) Rollins
- Taxonomic Rank: Variety (e.g., Arabis fernaldiana Rollins var. stylosa (S. Watson) Rollins)
Distribution and Habitat
- Park Rockcress (Arabis fernaldiana) is notably found in the immediate vicinity of Dinosaur National Park, on the Colorado-Utah border.
- Other Arabis species are found in diverse locations:
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Canyonlands National Park (Utah)
- Islands in the Sky (Canyonlands National Park, Utah)
- Vosges du Nord National Park (France) (Arabidopsis arenosa)
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Yellowstone National Park (Boechera pusilla)
- Mount Diablo State Park
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Park Rockcress (Arabis fernaldiana) is a perennial herb.
- Wall rock cress (A. albinda / A. caucasica) grows to 6-10 inches.
- Some rockcresses have tufted rosettes of oval leaves covered with white down.
- Certain species lose their aerial parts during the coldest months and quickly regrow stems and leaves in spring.
- Cascade rockcress can reach heights of 15-35 cm.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Sand Rock-cress (Arabidopsis arenosa) is pollinated by bees.
Resources and Further Information
- Discover Life provides information about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Arabis fernaldiana.
- The RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) offers information on Arabis procurrens 'Variegata'.
- TripAdvisor features photos and videos of Prince's Rock Cress in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.