littleleaf rockcress

Appearance

General: Bunch-forming perennial with a multi-branched, somewhat woody base. Plants typically produce several erect, slender flowering stems 1-2 dm tall (sometimes up to 7 dm.). The stems often hairy.
Leaves: Basal leaves narrow (2-3 cm. long by 2-4 mm. wide), somewhat toothed, and forming a rosette; stem leaves narrow (1-2.5 cm. wide by 2-5 mm. wide),without a petiole (sessile), and with ear-like extensions (auricles) at the base that somewhat wrap around the stem.
Flowers: Petals pink to purplish, 5-8 mm. long; 3-25 flowers arranged along the upper portion of the flowering stem (inflorescence).
Fruits: Silique.

Naming

Arabis microphylla

Distribution

Occurring in Washington east of the Cacades crest; British Columbia south to eastern Oregon, east to Montana and Wyoming.

Habitat

Low montane to subalpine.