Sanddune wallflower

Appearance

''Erysimum capitatum'' is a mustard-like plant with thin, erect stems growing from a basal rosette and topped with dense bunches of variably colored flowers. Flowers are most typically bright golden, yellow, tangerine-colored, but plants in some populations may have red, white or purple flowers. Each flower has four flat petals. Seed pods are nearly parallel to the stem.

Naming

There are varieties or subspecies of this plant. Some are listed endangered species. For example, ''Erysimum capitatum'' var. ''angustatum'', the Contra Costa wallflower, is an endangered plant in the state of California. The varieties include:

⤷ ''E. c.'' var. ''angustatum'' — Contra Costa wallflower; endemic to California, endangered species.
⤷ ''E. c.'' var. ''bealianum'' — Sanddune wallflower; Mojave Desert, California.
⤷ ''E. c.'' var. ''capitatum'' — Western wallflower; flowers from May to July, widely distributed across Colorado and Utah.
⤷ ''E. c.'' var. ''lompocense'' — San Luis Obispo wallflower; endemic to California.
⤷ ''E. c.'' var. ''perenne'' — Sanddune wallflower; endemic to California.
⤷ ''E. c.'' var. ''purshii'' — Pursh's wallflower; Western United States.

Uses

In Zuni ethnobotany, an infusion of the whole plant is used externally for muscle aches. The flower and the fruit are eaten as an emetic for stomachaches.