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Rockcress (4)

Rockcress are very common but can be easily overlooked because they are slender plants with small, inconspicuous pink-lavender flowers. It is difficult to identify them. These I think are correct. See also Drummond's Rockcress.

Arabis gunnisoniana (Boechera)

Gunnison's Rockcress
Boechera gunnisoniana (Arabis gunnisoniana)

Family: Mustard (Brassicaceae)
AKA:
Photo taken on: June 3, 2006
Location: Jack's Cabin Cutoff, GV, CO
Life Zones: Foothills
Habitat: Sagebrush, openings

Grows to 10" with several stems from a basal rosette of narrow oblong leaves. Stem leaves are lance-shaped. Occurs only in Gunnison County, CO.

Flora of North America reference.

Arabis fendleri (Boechera)

Fendler's Rockcress
Boechera fendleri (Arabis fendleri)

Family: Mustard (Brassicaceae)
AKA:
Photo taken on: April 26, 2010
Location: White Rock, NM
Life Zones: Plains and foothills
Habitat: Dry areas, pinyon-juniper

Grows to 2ft on hairy stems with a basal rosette of lance-shaped leaves. Ear-shaped leaves grasp the stem.

Flora of North America reference.

Boechera pallidifolia (Arabis pallidifolia)

Gunnison County Rockcress
Boechera pallidifolia (Arabis pallidifolia)

Family: Mustard (Brassicaceae)
AKA:
Photo taken on: April 3, 2015
Location: Plaza Blanca, Abiquiu, NM
Life Zones: Plains and foothills
Habitat: Pinyon-juniper, rocky, sandy soil

Grows to 8" from a basal rosette of lance-shaped, slightly hairy, entire leaves. Stems of the seed pods point upwards to 2" long.

Flora of North America reference.

Boechera gracilenta

Selby's Rockcress
Boechera gracilenta (Arabis selbyi)

Family: Mustard (Brassicaceae)
AKA:
Photo taken on: April 9, 2015
Location: Abiquiu Lake, NM
Life Zones: Plains and foothills
Habitat: Pinyon-juniper, rocky, sandy soil

 Grows to 2ft with 1 to 9 stems and mostly basal, hairy, slightly toothed, oblong to lance-shaped leaves. Stem leaves are narrow and widely spaced. Flowers are lavender. Seed pods are up to 2" long.

Flora of North America reference.

a flower


Boechera spp.

Family: Mustard (Brassicaceae)
AKA:
Photo taken on: June 7, 2006
Location: Almont Triangle, CO
Life Zones: Foothills
Habitat: Sagebrush, shrublands, openings

a flower


Boechera spp.

Family: Mustard (Brassicaceae)
AKA:
Photo taken on: May 21, 2006
Location: Almont Triangle, CO
Life Zones: Foothills
Habitat: Sagebrush, shrublands, openings

Blue/Purple Round Clusters