Scientific Family
Brassicaceae
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Biennial
Height
2 feet
Riparian
Yes
This plant is erect, with coarse, whitish hairs on the stems and minute hairs on the leaves.
Lower leaves are once pinnate; seeds in two rows in each cell of the ovary of at least some of the fruits.
Habitat
Rocky basalt and limestone ridges, pinyon juniper grasslands, chaparral, ponderosa forest, gravel and sandy areas, disturbed sites, dry streams and washes.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
3500
High elevation
7500
Flower Characteristics
Flowers are minute and borne in long clusters at stem ends.
Flower color
Yellow to whitish
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are generally basal, alternate, and pinnately lobed. Stems are erect, unbranched basally or branched proximally (close to the stem) and/or distally (far from the stem).
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Pinnatifid
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit is a thin capsule with two halves and a distinct midvein. Capsule may be covered with fine hairs.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Green to brown
There are many tiny brown seeds per capsule.