BERBERIDACEAE -- Barberry Family - New Mexico Flores

Scientific Name:
Erysimum capitatum
Size:
40 - 80 cm
BRASSICACEAE -- Mustard Family
Description:
Erect biennial herb, stems single at base,
branched above. Herbage with a dense covering
of forked hairs lying flat. Basal leaves on
petioles, lanceolate, 4 - 15 cm long, 4 - 10 mm
wide. Stem leaves alternate, sessile, narrow,
faintly toothed. Flowers perfect, on stout stalks
4 - 8 mm long, in dense clusters at branch ends.
Sepals 4, erect, 8 - 12 mm long. Petals 4,
obovate or spatulate, 12 - 20 mm long, tapering
to a narrow base. Stamens 6, 4 equal, 2 shorter.
Fruit a slender pod 5 - 8 cm long, 2 mm wide, 4angled,
with a persistent 2-lobed stigma at the
apex. Fruiting stalks ascending.
157
Common Name:
Western wallflower
Color:
Yellow to orange
Notes:
Western wall flowers are quite common, not
just in the Manzanos, but statewide. They are
most commonly yellow, but vary considerably
in color, depending on altitude or location, to
orange or even maroon. They distinctly
resemble their European namesake and mustard
family cousin, the English wall flower,
Cheiranthus cheiri. Long cherished for
medicinal properties, wallflowers actually
contain heart active glycosides in their seeds,
and are not recommended for herbal use. They
bloom from May into September between 6000
and 11000 ft.
New Mexico Native