Boechera drummondii/stricta, May 26, 2020
Boechera drummondii/stricta, June 6, 2020
Common & scientific name
Drummond’s rockcress, Boechera drummondii/stricta
Family
Mustard, Brassicaceae
Location
Weller curve, 9,250’
Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
As I’ve said before, the Boechera genus is notoriously difficult to narrow down to species. They interbreed, they vary within species, and often it’s the microscopic hairs on their leaves and the angle of repose of their siliques (seed pods) that make the difference. This rockcress, which is tall and common on the Pass, especially in forests and at higher elevations, can be identified by the pick-axe hairs on its basal (ground-level) leaves, and its erect, stem-hugging siliques.
B. drummondii, silique, July 15, 2020