Family: Brassicaceae
Carolina whitlow-grass, common whitlow-grass
[Draba caroliniana Walter, more...]
Marcie O'Connor
Marcie O'Connor
Etymology: Draba: from Greek drabe for "sharp" or "acrid" and referring to the burning taste of the leaves which supposedly had a medicinal value as a poultice
Plants: erect, annual, 2"-10" tall forb, stem single or branched at the base
Leaves: basal leaves rounded at the tip, narrowing toward the base, blunt, toothless, hairy; a few stem leaves mostly near the base
Flowers: white, 4-parted, 1/3" wide, petals rounded at the tip; inflorescence a dense cluster (raceme) of smooth-stalked flowers; blooms April-May
Fruits: elongated pod, erect or pointing upward on stalks usually 1/3 to 1/2 as long as the pod
Habitat: disturbed sites, prairies; in rocky, sandy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, annual, 2"-10" tall forb, stem single or branched at the base
Leaves: basal leaves rounded at the tip, narrowing toward the base, blunt, toothless, hairy; a few stem leaves mostly near the base
Flowers: white, 4-parted, 1/3" wide, petals rounded at the tip; inflorescence a dense cluster (raceme) of smooth-stalked flowers; blooms April-May
Fruits: elongated pod, erect or pointing upward on stalks usually 1/3 to 1/2 as long as the pod
Habitat: disturbed sites, prairies; in rocky, sandy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 5 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.
Marcie O'Connor
Arthur Meeks
Hugh H. Iltis
