Native Plants

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Smith, R.W.

Erysimum capitatum

Erysimum capitatum (Douglas ex Hook.) Greene

Sand-dune Wallflower, Western Wallflower, Prairie Rocket

Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: erca14

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

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

52 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Biennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Silique
Size Notes: Up to about 4 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Orange , Yellow , Purple
Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

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

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.
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 on display at the following locations:

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.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

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 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: 2023-02-08
Research By: TWC Staff

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