Flower ID: IMG_0691.JPG-06-08-2017 Flower name (scientific): Hesperis matronalis Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) HES-per-iss mah-tro-NAH-lis Flower name (common): Dame's Rocket Family name (common): Mustard Family name (scientific): Brassicaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Greek hesperos, for evening. Referencing the fragrance of the flower in the evening. Specific epithet: From Matron referencing the Roman matronal festival, celebrated on the 1st March. Common name origin: Origin uncertain, possibly derived from the name Dame's violet, which is another common name for the flower. Dame's violet is translated from the Latin Viola matronalis, and possibly a corruption from Damaske violets. Flower description: Fragrant in the evening. Size: 0.5 to 0.8 inches (1.3 to 2.0 cm) Petal count: 4 Color: White, pink, purple, less commonly bi-colored white and pink. Other: flower arrangement, Raceme Plant description: Erect. Size: 24 to 36 inches (61 to 91 cm) Stem hairy: densely hairy. Other: Leaf description: attachment is basal and alternate, type is simple Size: Cauline leaves up to 15 to 20 cm long and 5 cm wide. Color: medium green Hairy: surfaces pubescent. Other: Shape: leaf, oblong, lanceolate, or broadly ovate (FNA) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Introduced, naturalized, ecologically invasive. Restriced classification in Wisconsin. Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): May to September Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Biennial or Perennial. Habitat: Fields, meadows, woods, thickets, disturbed sites, roadsides, sun or shade, moist. Fruit: siliques typically 6 to 10 cm long. Seed: Brown colored, typically about 3 to 4 mm in length. Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): The species Lunaria annua (Money Plant, Honesty) has a resemblance to Hesperis matronalis, but the former is not reported from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois, though it is reported from Michigan. Ethnobotany: Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Ashland, Bayfield, Brown, Calumet, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Door, Douglas, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marinette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Polk, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Shawano, Sheboygan, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waushara, Winnebago) Click here for distribution map In US: (AK, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (AB, BC, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, ON, PE, QC, SK) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): POWO lists 1 homotypic synonym for this species. Heterotypic Synonym(s): na Autonym:Hesperis matronalis subsp. matronalis (The other infraspecifics are Hesperis matronalis subsp. candida (Kitaibel) Hegi & Emil Schmid, Hesperis matronalis subsp. cladotricha (Borbás) Hayek, Hesperis matronalis subsp. nivea (Baumgarten) E. P. Perrier, Hesperis matronalis subsp. schurii Soó, Hesperis matronalis subsp. sintenisii (F. Dvořák) A. Duran, Hesperis matronalis subsp. vrabelyiana (Schur) Soó. None of these subspecies have been recorded in North America.) Wetland Status (NC): FACU Wetland Status (MW): FACU