Family: Brassicaceae
Short's rock-cress, toothed cress
[Arabis dentata (Torr.) Torr. & A.Gray, more...]
Kitty Kohout
Merel R. Black
Etymology: Arabis: a Greek word used for "mustard" or "cress," and the Greek word for Arabia, perhaps referring to the ability of these plants to grow in rocky or sandy soils (?)
Plants: erect or drooping biennial, 8"-20" tall forb, branched at the base; stems with thin hairs
Leaves: stem leaves oblong, many with lobed bases, clasping, sparsely toothed, hairy on both sides; lower leaves roundish with long stalks
Flowers: white, 4-parted, 1/8"-1/4" wide, petals barely longer than the sepals; inflorescence a cluster (raceme) of stalked flowers; blooms April-May
Fruits: widely-spreading, long, thin, flat pods; seeds in 1 row, wingless
Habitat: moist; woods; in rich soil
Conservation Status: Special Concern
Plants: erect or drooping biennial, 8"-20" tall forb, branched at the base; stems with thin hairs
Leaves: stem leaves oblong, many with lobed bases, clasping, sparsely toothed, hairy on both sides; lower leaves roundish with long stalks
Flowers: white, 4-parted, 1/8"-1/4" wide, petals barely longer than the sepals; inflorescence a cluster (raceme) of stalked flowers; blooms April-May
Fruits: widely-spreading, long, thin, flat pods; seeds in 1 row, wingless
Habitat: moist; woods; in rich soil
Conservation Status: Special Concern
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 7 WIS DNR-Bureau of Endangered Resources: Detailed information on Wisconsin listed species including state and federal status, photos, etc. USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key.
Merel R. Black
Mark Mittelstadt
Mark Mittelstadt
Sue R. Crispin
