SafePlants

Wind River Rockcress

This page provides information about the Wind River Rockcress, a fascinating plant with a complex taxonomic history.

Scientific and Common Names

• Scientific Names:
  • Accepted Name: Boechera williamsii (Rollins) Dorn
  • Synonyms: Arabis williamsii Rollins, Arabis williamsii var. williamsii
  • Other Names: Arabis pendulocarpa var. saximontana, Boechera williamsii (Rollins) Dorn var. saximontana (Rollins) Dorn, Arabis microphylla (until recently)
• Common Name: Wind River Rockcress

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Family: Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)
• Taxonomic Rank: Species, Variety

Distribution and Habitat

• The Wind River Rockcress, particularly Boechera pusilla (Small rockcress or Fremont County rockcress), is found in the southern foothills of the Wind River Range in Wyoming.
• Specific mention is made of its presence in the South Pass area of the southern Wind River Range, Fremont County.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Wind River Rockcress is described as a forb/herb, meaning it's a non-woody plant that is not a grass.
• It's a perennial herb, meaning it lives for more than two years. It can also be biennial.
• The plant is said to give origin to a brush with a rounded form and can be large in size, up to 2 meters.

Ecological Role

• The Fremont County Rockcress (Boechera pusilla) is a state endemic restricted to the southern Wind River Range.

Further Information

• USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
• Discover Life's page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Arabis williamsii.