SafePlants

Silver Rockcress

Silver Rockcress refers to a few different plants, with some of the most common being:

• Accepted Scientific Name: Boechera puberula
• Smelowskia calycina &#39Silver Rockcress/Fernleaf Candytuft&#39
• Arabis puberula

Other common names include Blue Mountain Rockcress.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Taxonomic Rank: Species
• The genus Boechera belongs to the family Brassicaceae (also known as Cruciferae).
• The genus Boechera was named after the Danish botanist Tyge W. Bøcher (1909–1983).

Considerations for Pets

• Some varieties have foliage described as having jagged edges.

Considerations for Children

• Some varieties have foliage described as having jagged edges.

Distribution and Habitat

• Silver Rockcress can be found in alpine environments, often on scree slopes.
• Specific locations mentioned include:
  • Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada
  • Plateau Mountain
  • Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Alberta
  • Ravalli, Beaverhead, and Silver Bow Counties in Montana

Ecological Role

• It is noted that in Montana, an unnamed weed has a negative effect on rockcress populations, reducing seedling establishment.
• One source notes that Silver Rockcress can be invasive.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• It is a spring-flowering rock garden perennial.
• Forms a low carpet of evergreen leaves.
• Can reach 2 meters high.
• Some varieties have silver foliage.
• Some varieties have white to pink flowers.
• Some varieties have blue flowers with leaves edged in creamy white.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Silver Rockcress serves as a larval foodplant.

Further Information

• Discover Life offers a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Arabis puberula (Silver Rockcress).
• The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) provides related references and articles on Arabis puberula.