No images found for this plant ID: 3576.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "3576" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

Safe for Dogs?

Safe for Cats?

Safe for Reptiles?

woody rockcress

Scientific Name: Arabis suffrutescens var. suffrutescens

Family: Brassicaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Subshrub, Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Woody Rockcress

This page provides information about plants known as Woody Rockcress, particularly focusing on Arabis suffrutescens.

Considerations for Pets

  • Plants in the Arabis genus are often found in gardens.

Considerations for Children

  • Plants in the Arabis genus are often found in gardens.

Scientific Name and Common Names

  • Scientific Name: Arabis suffrutescens S. Watson
  • Common Names: Woody Rockcress, desert rockcress, woody branched rockcress, Owens Valley rockcress

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Family: Brassicaceae (also known as Cruciferae)
  • Genus: Arabis
  • Species: lignifera
  • Subspecies: suffrutescens (e.g., Arabis suffrutescens S. Watson var. suffrutescens)
  • Varieties: Arabis suffrutescens var. horizontalis (Greene) Rollins
  • Synonyms:
    • Boechera suffrutescens (for some species of Woody Rockcress)
    • Arabis aculeolata (for Waldo Rockcress, although Arabis aculeolata var. aculeolata is also listed)
    • Arabis microphylla (synonym for Boechera microphylla or Small-leaf/Littleleaf Rockcress)
  • Some species previously classified as Arabis have been reclassified into the genus Boechera, named after botanist Tyge W. Böcher.

Distribution and Habitat

  • McDonald's rock-cress (Arabis mcdonaldiana) is native to Northern California.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Some varieties, like the horizontal woody rockcress, can grow to a height of 2 meters.
  • Perennial plant with spring and summer growth.
  • McDonald's rock-cress (Arabis mcdonaldiana) grows from a woody base and forms smooth, unbranched stems.
  • Some species have a branched caudex (short, vertical, often woody stem).
  • Pointed rockcress has flower stems from a branched woody base.
  • Exposure: needs at least a few hours of solar light each day

Ecological Role

  • Rock cress could also be threatened by the encroachment of woody species into its habitat.

Further Information

  • Dave's Garden: A community for sharing tips and ideas for gardens, seeds, and plants.
  • Discover Life: Provides information about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Arabis suffrutescens.
  • NIISS.org: Contains species profiles, habitat information, control methods, and information on invasion.