Erysimum capitatum
Encyclopedia
Erysimum capitatum is a species of wallflower
known commonly as the sanddune wallflower, western wallflower, or prairie rocket. It is a mustard
-like plant with thin, erect stems growing from a basal rosette
and topped with dense bunches of variably colored flowers. Flowers are most typically bright golden, yellow, tangerine-colored, but plants in some populations may have red, white or purple flowers. Each flower has four flat petal
s. Seed pods are nearly-parallel to the stem. Although quite variable in appearance, it is an attractive garden plant.
There are several natural variants of this plant. Each is treated separately, with certain variants considered endangered species
in some areas. For example Erysimum capitatum var angustatum, the Contra Costa wallflower, is an endangered plant in the state of California
.
This species can be found across North America
, but some variants have an extremely narrow distribution, especially in California. E. capitatum capitatum is widely distributed all over Utah, where it flowers from May to July (see Utah Valley State College Herbarium webpage). It is also widely distributed in Colorado.
group.
Wallflower
Erysimum is a genus that includes about 180 species, both popular garden plants and many wild forms. The genus Cheiranthus is sometimes included herein whole or in part. Erysimum has recently adscribed to a monogeneric cruciferous tribe, Erysimeae...
known commonly as the sanddune wallflower, western wallflower, or prairie rocket. It is a mustard
Mustard plant
Mustards are several plant species in the genera Brassica and Sinapis whose small mustard seeds are used as a spice and, by grinding and mixing them with water, vinegar or other liquids, are turned into the condiment known as mustard or prepared mustard...
-like plant with thin, erect stems growing from a basal rosette
Rosette (botany)
In botany, a rosette is a circular arrangement of leaves, with all the leaves at a single height.Though rosettes usually sit near the soil, their structure is an example of a modified stem.-Function:...
and topped with dense bunches of variably colored flowers. Flowers are most typically bright golden, yellow, tangerine-colored, but plants in some populations may have red, white or purple flowers. Each flower has four flat petal
Petal
Petals are modified leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. They often are brightly colored or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. Together, all of the petals of a flower are called a corolla. Petals are usually accompanied by another set of special leaves called sepals lying...
s. Seed pods are nearly-parallel to the stem. Although quite variable in appearance, it is an attractive garden plant.
There are several natural variants of this plant. Each is treated separately, with certain variants considered endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
in some areas. For example Erysimum capitatum var angustatum, the Contra Costa wallflower, is an endangered plant in the state of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Subspecies
- E. c. var. angustatum - Contra Costa wallflower
- E. c. var. bealianum
- E. c. var. capitatum - Western wallflower
- E. c. var. lompocense - San Luis Obispo wallflower
- E. c. var. perenne
- E. c. var. purshii - Pursh's wallflower
This species can be found across North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, but some variants have an extremely narrow distribution, especially in California. E. capitatum capitatum is widely distributed all over Utah, where it flowers from May to July (see Utah Valley State College Herbarium webpage). It is also widely distributed in Colorado.
Ecology
Little information on its relationship with pollinators exists for this wallflower species. Andrew Moldenke studied a population of Erysimum capitatum var. perenne during 1968-1970 in Timberland Hall Area- Subalpine Talus Fell Scree (2900-3500 m elevation). This author observed 13 species of flower visitors, although over 80% of the visits to their flowers were performed by two ant species, Formica lasioides and one from the Formica fuscaFormica fusca
Formica fusca, the common black ant of Europe, is a palaearctic ant with a range extending from Portugal in the west to Japan in the east and from Italy in the south to Fennoscandia in the north. F...
group.