Flower ID: IMG_2144.JPG-07-04-2019 Flower name (scientific): Boechera laevigata (Muhlenberg ex Willdenow) Al-Shehbaz PY: 2003. This name is regarded as a synonym of Borodinia laevigata (Muhl. ex Willd.) P. J. Alexander & Windham by the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (2021), but is accepted by the Flora of North America. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) BOO-ker-a lee-vih-GAY-tuh Flower name (common): Smooth Rock Cress Family name (common): Mustard Family name (scientific): Brassicaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: Named in honor of Tyge W. Böcher (1909 – 1983), a Danish botanist. Specific epithet: From the Latin for smooth, referencing the absence of hairs or roughness. Common name origin: Smooth comes from the absence of hairs or roughness. Cress is a common name for a number of plants having edible leaves that have a bitter flavor. The term rockcress is used for several species of small plants that are cultivated as an ornamental for rock gardens (OED). Flower description: Size: 0.1 to 0.3 inches (0.3 to 0.8 cm) Petal count: 4 Color: white Other: flower arrangement, Raceme Plant description: Size: 12 to 40 inches (30 to 102 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is basal and alternate, type is simple Size: Basal leaves up to 9 cm long and 2 cm wide. Cauline leaves 5 to 15 cm long and about 2.5 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, (basal) obovate to oblanceolate (FNA), (cauline) lanceolate (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon Bloom time (typical): May to August Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Biennial Habitat: Hillsides, rocky slopes of bluffs, mesic woodlands, shade or part shade or sun. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): B. missouriensis and B. grahamii are similar. B. laevigata has sepals that are usually 2.5-4.0 mm long and petals that are 3-5 mm long. B. missouriensis has petals mostly two times longer than the sepals; sepals 3-5 mm long, petals 6-9 mm long. B. grahamii has petals 5.5 to 8 mm long. Ethnobotany: Latitude: 44.799482 Longitude: -91.505612 Altitude: 248.30 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Barron, Brown, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Florence, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jackson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Manitowoc, Marathon, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Ozaukee, Pierce, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, Taylor, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV) In Canada: (ON, QC) References: Synonym(s): Arabis hastata Eaton, Arabis heterophylla Nuttall, Arabis lyrifolia de Candolle Basionym: Turritis laevigata Muhlenberg ex Willdenow Sp. Pl. 3: 543. 1801. Homotypic Synonym(s): Arabis laevigata (Muhl. ex Willd.) Poiret, Arabis laevigata (Muhl. ex Willd.) Poiret var. laevigata Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na