How to Grow and Care for rockcress

Smooth rockcress (Boechera laevigata) is a member of the mustard family and grows in the eastern states of the USA. It is found in rocky woods and on cliffs and ledges. The nectar and pollen are enjoyed by bees and flies, and other insects feed on the foliage. It is one of the host plants for the rare Olympia Marble butterfly.

Boechera dentata is a short-lived herbaceous biennial. It can be distinguished from other Boechera in its area by a combination of short fruits (reaching 4 cm) on short pedicels (reaching 3.5 mm), which are held spreading at maturity, and its wider stem leaves (reaching > 8 mm) that have a pubescent upper surface. It produces cream-colored flowers in the spring.

Boivin's rockcress is an herbaceous perennial belonging to the mustard family, bearing narrow, lance-shaped leaves. Its distinctive purple-tinged blossoms, clustered atop slender stems, bloom in spring. Adaptive to rocky alpine environments, boivin's rockcress has a compact growth habit that aids in its survival amid harsh conditions, allowing it to conserve resources and withstand cold climates.

The rust fungus Puccinia monoica infects the plant leading to pseudoflowers, which mimic those of yellow, early spring wildflowers (e.g. buttercups), not only in visible light but also in ultraviolet.

There is a basal clump of widely lance-shaped leaves about the caudex, each up to 8 centimeters long. There are also widely spaced leaves along the stem. The top of the stem is occupied by a narrow inflorescence of flowers which are usually white, but sometimes light pink. The fruit is a straight, erect silique up to 10 centimeters long containing two rows of winged seeds.