SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 2962.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "2962" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

park rockcress

Scientific Name: Arabis fernaldiana var. stylosa

Family: Brassicaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Park Rockcress and Relatives

This page provides information about several plants commonly known as rockcress, focusing on their scientific classifications, habitats, and unique characteristics.

Considerations for Pets

  • Several species of rockcress are mentioned in connection to home gardens and parks, suggesting a potential for exposure to pets.

Accepted Scientific Name and Common Names

  • Arabis perennans. Common name: Common Rockcress.
  • Arabis fernaldiana. Common name: Park Rockcress.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Family: Brassicaceae (also known as Cruciferae) - Mustard Family
  • Synonyms:
    • Arabis perennans synonym Boechera perennans
    • Arabis pulchra var. pallens synonym Boechera pulchra
    • Arabis fernaldiana var. stylosa (S. Watson) Rollins
  • Taxonomic Rank: variety, as in Arabis fernaldiana Rollins var. stylosa (S. Watson) Rollins

Distribution and Habitat

  • Arabis fernaldiana (Park Rockcress) is known only from the immediate vicinity of Dinosaur National Park on the Colorado-Utah border.
  • Arabis perennans is found in locations such as Canyonlands National Park, Utah (Islands in the Sky area).
  • Other rockcress species are found in various locations, including:
    • Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
    • Yellowstone National Park (Boechera pusilla)
    • Vosges du Nord National Park, France (Arabidopsis arenosa)
    • Troodos National Forest Park and Pafos State Forest

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Rockcress species are often perennial herbs.
  • Arabis perennans: Perennial herbs 3.5" to 2.1' (0.9 to 6.5 cm).
  • Arabis pulchra var. pallens: Perennial herbs stems 5.9" to 2'
  • Some species, like the coast rock cress (Arabis blepharophylla), form clumps.
  • Some lose their aerial parts during the coldest months, quickly regrowing in spring.
  • Rock cress has tufted rosettes of oval leaves covered with white down.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Arabidopsis arenosa (Sand Rock-cress) is pollinated by bees.

Quirky Facts

  • Some locations are associated with "Rockcress" despite referring to different types of rocks entirely, as evidenced by the mention of "Rockcress and The Great Wall at sunrise in Arches National Park."
  • One person counted a "record number" of clumps of coast rock cress (Arabis blepharophylla) on Valentine's Day.