BERBERIDACEAE -- Barberry Family - New Mexico Flores

Scientific Name:
Cardaria draba
Size:
20 - 60 cm
BRASSICACEAE -- Mustard Family
Description:
Erect to reclining perennial herb, stems several
from spreading rootstock, branched near the top,
with short hairs. Leaves alternate, oblong to
elliptic or lanceolate, 3 - 8 cm long, 1 - 4 cm
wide, lowest leaves with petioles, upper leaves
sessile with leaf bases wrapped around stem,
edges wavy-toothed to smooth, with short hairs.
Flowers perfect, on ascending stalks about 10
mm long, in dense clusters at branch ends.
Sepals 4, elliptical, 1 - 2 mm long. Petals 4,
spatulate, 3 - 4 mm long, round at apex.
Stamens 6, 4 equal, 2 shorter. Fruit a glabrous
2-chambered pod, obovate to heart-shaped in
outline, inflated but somewhat flattened.
147
Common Name:
Hoary cress, whitetop
Color:
White
Notes:
Hoary cress is considered to be a noxious weed
in most Western states. Once established, the
strong, horizontal rootstock of these plants
makes them very difficult to eradicate and very
efficient in competition with native species.
Considerable money and effort have been
expended in a mostly unsuccessful effort at
controlling these plants. Hoary cress blooms
from May into August between 4000 and 8000
ft.
Introduced*