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Native Plant Database

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Erysimum capitatum (Prairie rocket)
Flaigg, Norman G.

Erysimum capitatum (Dougl. ex Hook.) Greene

Prairie rocket, Sand-dune wallflower, Sanddune wallflower, Western wallflower

Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)

Synonyms: Erysimum capitatum var, capitatum, Erysimum asperum, Erysimum elatum, Erysimum arkansanum

USDA Symbol: erca14

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

An extremely variable species, though usually a clumped plant with densely crowded clusters of orange, yellow, orange-brown or purplish-maroon flowers atop each minimally-branched stem. The narrow leaves and stems of this biennial to short-lived perennial are hairy. The seedpods stand upright.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Biennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Orange , Yellow
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AK , AR , AZ , CA , CO , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , MI , MN , MO , MT , ND , NE , NM , NV , NY , OH , OK , OR , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , WA , WI , WV , WY
Native Distribution: VA & OH to s.w. Canada, s. to TN, TX & CA; much more common westward
Native Habitat: Plains; foothills; high elevation coniferous forests
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: Although it is a biennial, western wallflower will usually produce the flowers the first year. Western wallflower is extremely variable in size and flower color. It is similar to the cultivated wallflower (Cheiranthus spp.) and is equally showy in a wildflower garden.

Propagation

Description: Untreated seed planted 1/4 deep will germinate readily. Plant in late summer or early fall.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Tohono Chul Park, Inc. - Tucson, AZ
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 1207 - Earth Medicine, Earth Food (1990) Michael A. Weiner
Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Erysimum capitatum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Erysimum capitatum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Erysimum capitatum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2008-05-28
Research By: TWC Staff

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