Al Schneider's Rocky Mountains Plant Descriptions

Alpine Pennycress
Noccaea fendleri
Mustard family (Brassicaceae)

Although a slim, small plant, Wild Candytuft (Noccaea fendleri) is noticeable for several reasons: It often grows in large patches providing a carpet of white flowers; it commonly grows with few other plants around it; and you see it all spring and summer as it follows you in flower from low canyons and foothills early in the spring to high mountains and all summer. Candytuft often begins flowering when only one inch tall and the flower elongates and continues to produce flowers as the plant matures. Flowers are intensely white with green to purple . The flattened shape of the seed pod, its pointed at the tip, horizontal growth, and color are all key factors in identifying Wild Candytuft. In the high desert west of our apps range, it is easy to mistake Wedge-leaf Draba (Draba cuneifolia) for Wild Candytuft. The name, "Noccaea," was given in 1802 by German botanist Conrad Moench to honor the Italian clergyman and botanist, Domenico Nocca.


©2014 Steve Sullivan

Description

usually with several stems to 10" tall. clustered, variously shaped, sometimes withered at flowering time. Stem , , nearly flattened against the stem, to 1" long. to 1/2" long spreading or . about 1/10 " long, green to purple. Petals up to 1/3" long, usually white, sometimes pink or lavender, . up to 1/3" long, typically (oval but widened at the top), or not, with at the tip.

Field Marks

Very white cluster of flowers, seed pod with , flowers and seed pods on plant at same time.

© Al Schneider

style -- This is a long and thread-like structure that connects the stigma with the ovary. A flower may have a single style, or several of them.

A perennial plant lives and blooms for many years.

pedicel -- The stem of a single flower.

obovate -- Teardrop-shaped, stem attaches to tapering point.

persistent -- When the leaves of a plant fail to fall off in the fall they are persistent. Flowers that stay around after fruiting would be persistent.

Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom.

ascending -- growing obliquely upward and usually curved.

spatulate -- spoon-shaped.

fruit -- any seed-bearing structure in flowering plants. It is formed from the ovary after flowering.

stalk -- The supporting structure of an organ. Examples of stalks are stem, peduncle, petiole, ...

tundra -- Land above tree line characterized by a short growing season, intense sun and wind, thin soils, very high snow fall and high rain fall. Contains low growing sedges, grasses, dwarf shrubs and herbs.

basal leaves -- a leaf that grows lowest on the stem of a plant.

genus -- A subdivision of a botanical Family in which all members have a significant number of similar characteristics.

wing -- A maple seed has wings.

A clasping leaf suroundes part of all of the stem.

leaves alternate along the main stem and are attached singly.