SafePlants

Holboell's Rockcress

Also known as Holboell's Rock Cress or Holboell's Rock-cress, this plant is a biennial or short-lived perennial wildflower belonging to the mustard family.

Scientific Classification

• Scientific Name: Arabis holboellii Hornem. (synonym: Boechera holboellii)
• Common Name: Holboell's Rockcress
• Family: Brassicaceae (Mustard family)
• Genus: Arabis or Boechera
• Taxonomic Rank: Species; subspecies such as Arabis holboellii var. pendulocarpa, Arabis holboellii var. pinetorum, and Arabis holboellii var. collinsii are also noted.
• Synonyms:
  • Boechera holboellii (alternative genus classification)

Distribution and Habitat

• Holboell's Rockcress is native to North America.
• It is found across most of the American West and all of Canada (excluding the Maritime provinces).
• Specific locations mentioned include California, eastern Washington (shrub-steppe habitat), Kalamalka Provincial Park near Vernon, B.C., and Nancy Creek Rd., Kettle Falls, Washington.
• It thrives in dry, rocky areas.

Morphological Characteristics

• It is a biennial or short-lived perennial wildflower.
• The plant has one to several erect, stout stems that can be simple or branched above, reaching up to 100 cm in height.
• Basal leaves are linear to spoon-shaped, toothed, with pointed tips, and densely hairy, measuring 1/2 to 2 inches long. They form a prominent rosette.
• Stem leaves are linear, 1-3 cm long.
• The plant produces small pink to white flowers.
• It is a taproot biennial that produces large amounts of small seeds in pods.

Ecological Role

• Holboell's Rockcress is a favorite of honey bees, providing abundant nectar.
• In Colorado, it can be infected by pathogens, along with other Boechera/Arabis species.

Quirky Facts

• One source describes Holboell's Rockcress as an "odd little plant with very tiny flowers."

Further Resources

• CalPhotos
• Dave's Garden
• Native Ideals Seed Farm (Arlee, Montana)
• Saint Mary's College of California