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second rockcress

Scientific Name: Arabis holboellii var. retrofracta

Family: Brassicaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Biennial, Perennial

Other Names: MN (Holboell's rockcress)

       

Second Rockcress (Boechera retrofracta)

Second Rockcress, scientifically known as Boechera retrofracta, is also commonly referred to as Holboell's Rockcress.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Boechera retrofracta (Graham) A. Lve & D. Lve
  • Synonyms:
    • Arabis holboellii Hornem. var. retrofracta (Graham) Rydb.
    • Arabis holboellii var. retrofracta
    • Arabis exilis A. Nelson
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Taxonomic Rank: Variety
  • Family: Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)

Distribution and Habitat

Second Rockcress can be found in various locations, including:

  • Yosemite National Park, Mariposa Co., California
  • Bryce Canyon National Park, Garfield Co., Utah
  • Death Valley National Park, Inyo Co., California
  • Great Basin National Park, White Pine Co., Nevada

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Rock Cress blooms in the spring of the second year after planting, and every year afterward.
  • During the second year, a flowering stalk develops up to 3 feet tall, which is unbranched or sparingly branched and often leans to one side. This stalk is pale green.
  • It grows from a taproot and is biennial, meaning it has a two-year life cycle.

Additional Information

  • Regular pruning to remove dead flowers encourages a second flowering and keeps the plant tidy.
  • The plant is strongly drought-hardy.

Quirky Facts

  • McDonald's rockcress was the second plant listed as Endangered under the United States Federal law.