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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Draba oligosperma (Fewseed draba)
Reveal, James L.

Draba oligosperma

Draba oligosperma Hook.

Fewseed Draba, Few-seed Whitlow-grass, Woods Draba, Whitlow Grass

Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)

Synonym(s): Draba juniperina, Draba oligosperma ssp. subsessilis, Draba oligosperma var. juniperina, Draba oligosperma var. oligosperma, Draba oligosperma var. pectinipila, Draba oligosperma var. subsessilis, Draba pectinipila, Draba subsessilis

USDA Symbol: DROL

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)

A low, gray cushion of tiny, narrow leaves subtends a short, erect, leafless flowering stalk, 1-5 in. tall. A small, grayish, hairy, densely tufted plant with basal leaves and racemes of small yellow flowers on leafless stalks. Forms mats to 3 ft. across. Tiny, yellow flowers occur in dense, showy clusters and fade to creamy white.

This is one of many tufted species of Draba with yellow flowers, distinguished in part by technical characteristics of the hairs. The entire surface of this plant is covered with microscopic hairs that lie flat, each with a main axis and perpendicular branches on either side (similar to two back-to-back combs).

 

From the Image Gallery

14 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Silicle
Size Notes: Up to about 5 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AK , CA , CO , ID , MT , NV , OR , UT , WA , WY
Canada: AB , BC
Native Distribution: Mts. of w. Canada & U.S.
Native Habitat: Open ridges; montane slopes; foothills; valleys

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Description: Well-drained soil.
Conditions Comments: A rock garden candidate.

Propagation

Description: Propagate from seeds.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-07
Research By: TWC Staff

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