How to Grow and Care for Hornungia

The chamois cress ( Hornungia alpina ) is a herbaceous plant of several years, which grows to heights between 5 cm and 12 cm . It forms rosettes of leaves, the leaves are pinnate to pinnate. The inflorescence is elongated after flowering. The fruits are 4 to 5 mm long and contain 1.7 to 2 mm long seeds.

Hutchinsia (Hornungia petraea) is a rocky-habitat ephemeral that you won't even see for much of the year since its dies back almost completely after completing its life cycle. However, if you look for it in early spring on limestone soils you may see its small white flowers atop waxy-leaved stems. The Latin name honors Erst Gottfried Hornung, a German scientific writer, and Robert James, Lord Petre, a renowned British horticulturist.

It is an annual herb with white flowers. Growth habit ranged from procumbent (trailing along the ground) to upright; when upright it can reach up to 30 centimetres in height.