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woody rockcress

Scientific Name: Arabis suffrutescens

Family: Brassicaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Subshrub, Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Arabis suffrutescens

Also known as Woody Rockcress, this plant belongs to a group commonly referred to as Rockcresses.

Considerations for Pets

  • The text mentions that Arabis suffrutescens has a woody base, stems, and potentially woody caudex.

Considerations for Children

  • Some rockcress species, like the Aggressive vine, can be usable as ground cover.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Arabis suffrutescens S. Watson
  • Family: Brassicaceae (Cruciferae)
  • Synonyms/Related Species:
    • Arabis aculeolata (Waldo Rockcress)
    • Arabis lignifera
    • Boechera suffrutescens
    • Arabis microphylla (Synonym: Boechera microphylla)
    • Arabis mcdonaldiana (McDonald's Rockcress)
  • Subordinate Taxa:
    • Arabis suffrutescens S. Watson var. suffrutescens
    • Arabis suffrutescens S. Watson var. horizontalis (Greene) Rollins

Common Names

  • Woody Rockcress
  • Horizontal Woody Rockcress
  • Desert Rockcress
  • Woody Branched Rockcress
  • Owens Valley Rockcress
  • Waldo Rockcress
  • Beautiful Rockcress

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to Northern California (in the case of McDonald's rock-cress, Arabis mcdonaldiana)
  • Found in Crater Lake (Waldo Rockcress)
  • Requires solar light, a few hours a day.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Perennial herb
  • Grows from a woody base
  • Forms smooth, unbranched stems (in the case of McDonald's rock-cress, Arabis mcdonaldiana)
  • Can reach 2 meters in height.
  • Flowers are borne in an open, elongated cluster at the top of the stout stems.

Ecological Role

  • Rock cress species could also be threatened by the encroachment of woody species.
  • Identified in a species profile that includes habitat, control, invasion & life.

Quirky Facts

  • Horizontal Woody Rockcress isn't an evergreen during the summer it assumes a white color.
  • The genus *Boechera* was named after Danish botanist Tyge W. Böcher (1909–1983).

Further Information

  • Discover Life: Biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Arabis suffrutescens.
  • Dave's Garden: Community sharing tips and ideas for gardens, along with seeds and plants.
  • NIISS.org: Species profile, habitat, control, invasion & life.
  • Garden Guides: Information on plants commonly known as Rockcress.