Erysimum inconspicuum (Small-flowered Wallflower)

Plant Info
Also known as:
Genus:Erysimum
Family:Brassicaceae (Mustard)
Life cycle:biennial, short-lived perennial
Origin:native
Habitat:part shade, sun; dry prairies, railroads, roadsides, river banks, woodland edges
Bloom season:May - August
Plant height:6 to 30 inches
Wetland Indicator Status:none
MN county distribution (click map to enlarge):Minnesota county distribution map
National distribution (click map to enlarge):National distribution map

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Detailed Information

Flower: Flower shape: 4-petals Cluster type: raceme

[photo of flowers] Elongating clusters of stalked flowers at the ends of stems arising from leaf axils in the upper plant and at the top of the stem. Flowers are yellow, about 1/8 inch across with 4 rounded petals and 6 stamens.

Leaves and stems: Leaf attachment: alternate Leaf attachment: basal Leaf type: simple

[photo of lower leaves] Leaves are up to 2½ inches long and to 1/3 inch wide, linear or widest above the middle, pointed at the tip, toothless or with a few widely spaced teeth. Basal leaves, which wither away by flowering time, gradually taper at the base. Upper leaves are stalkless.

[photo of stem and upper leaves] Leaf surfaces and stems are covered in appressed, star-shaped hairs that can give a gray-green appearance. Stems are weakly angled, may be multiple from the base and are usually unbranched.

Fruit: Fruit type: capsule/pod

[photo of fruit] Fruit is a slender, straight pod up to 2 inches long that is ascending to spreading.

Notes:

Small-flowered Wallflower is distinguished from other yellow mustards that do not have lobed or divided leaves by its tiny flowers, very narrow leaves, and appressed hairs.

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More photos

Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk taken at Iron Horse Prairie SNA, Dodge County.

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