Arabis perennans – Perennial Rockcress

Arabis perennans - Perennial Rockcress, Stiffarm Rock Cress

Arabis perennans - Perennial Rockcress, Stiffarm Rock Cress

Plant Name

Scientific Name: Arabis perennans

Common Names: Perennial Rockcress, Stiffarm Rock Cress

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial

Growth Habit: Subshrub, Herb/Forb

Arizona Native Status: Native

Habitat: Desert, Upland, Mountain

Flower Color: Violet, Pink

Flowering Season: Spring (desert), Summer (mountains)

Height: To 2 feet (61 cm) tall

Description: The 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) wide, 4-petaled flowers are on stiff, horizontal stems. The flowers are followed by long, slender seed pods that are held horizontally to the stems. The basal leaves are toothed and spoon-shaped, while those on the lower stems are narrow and straplike.

Classification

Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass: Dilleniidae
Order: Capparales
Family: Brassicaceae – Mustard family
Genus: Arabis L. – rockcress
Species: Arabis perennans S. Watson – perennial rockcress

More About This Plant

Arizona County Distribution Map