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tower rockcress

Scientific Name: Arabis glabra

Family: Brassicaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Annual, Biennial, Perennial

Other Names: IN (tower-mustard), TN (tower-mustard)

       

Tower Rockcress (Arabis glabra)

Arabis glabra, commonly known as Tower Rockcress or Tower Mustard, is a biennial herb belonging to the Mustard family (Brassicaceae).

Considerations for Pets

  • Tower Rockcress produces large quantities of seeds.

Considerations for Children

  • Tower Rockcress produces large quantities of seeds.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Arabis glabra (L.) Bernh.
  • Common Names: Tower Rockcress, Tower Mustard
  • Family: Brassicaceae (also known as Cruciferae)
  • Synonyms:
    • Turritis glabra (Note that some sources now classify Arabis turrita as Pseudoturritis turrita)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Tower Rockcress is widely distributed.
  • It can be found in open areas, including hayfields, woodland edges, and even rock quarries (observed at approximately 4100 feet).
  • Specifically mentioned locations include the Black Hills (where it is the most abundant Arabis species), Minnesota, Sussex Co., NJ, and Santa Cruz Island.

Morphological Characteristics

  • It is a biennial herb with stiff, erect stems.
  • Mature plants can reach a height of about 4 to 5 feet.
  • The flowers are small, white, and arranged in a tightly compressed terminal raceme (compact flat cluster).
  • The flowers have 4 petals and are about 1/8 to 1/4 inch in size.
  • It develops leafless vertical seed pods that closely hug the stem.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Observed on Lyre-leaved Rock Cress.

Additional Resources

  • Dave's Garden: A community website for sharing gardening tips and ideas.
  • Brooklyn Botanic Garden New York Metropolitan Flora Project (NYMF).
  • Channel Islands National Park: Contributed species information.
  • PlantSystematics.org: Provides information on phylogeny and nomenclature.
  • DiversityOfLife.org: Provides information on phylogeny and nomenclature.