Scientific Family
Brassicaceae
Synonyms
Thysanocarpus amplectens, Thysanocarpus elegans
Other common names
lacepod
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Similar species
Thysanocarpus laciniatus
Height
4 to 30 inches
Riparian
Yes
Annual herb, produces an erect, slender sparsely branching stem.
Lower leaves usually forming a rosette, teeth or shallow lobes are distantly spaced, surfaces often with coarse stiff hairs, sometimes hairless; stem leaves lance-shaped, bases lobed, clasping; fruits circular in outline.
Habitat
Rocky slopes, washes, moist meadows, oak woodlands, stream sides.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Low elevation
3000
High elevation
6500
Flower Characteristics
Inflorescence is a raceme of flowers with four white or purple-tinged petals and purple sepals.
Flower color
White to purple-tinged
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
February
Last bloom month
June
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are mostly lance-shaped but variable. Lower leaves sometimes borne on petioles and upper leaves may clasp the stem at their bases. Leaves may be smooth-edged, toothed or lobed.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
Yes
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit is a flattened, rounded or oval disc-like capsule with a thin wing around the edge. The edges have wavy margins and are often perforated.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Geeen to brown
1 small smooth seed per capsule.