Smooth Rockcress, Common Smooth Rock Cress - Boechera laevigata
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Boechera laevigata - Smooth Rockcress, Common Smooth Rock Cress. Boechera is a large genus, recently (21st century) separated (along with Arabidopsis and Turritis) from Arabis. Some authorities and many (perhaps most) publications still include Boechera within Arabis. As currently defined Boechera has over 110 species, primarily in western and northern North America with a few in Asia, and a few species extending into the southeastern United States.
Boechera laevigata (formerly Arabis laevigata) is one of those species found in the southeast, but its range extend throughout the eastern United States (some reports it absent in Rhode Island) westward to the great plains states with reports as far west as Colorado and South Dakota. It is a biennial plant growing in rocky woodlands and forests, and rock outcrops. It occasionally is found in nearly PH neutral soils of bottomlands.
Found in:
AL, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, 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, GS
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Distribution of Boechera laevigata in the United States and Canada:
Blue=Native; Grey=Introduced
Map from USDA Plants Database:
USDA, NRCS. 2017. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 16 Jan 2025). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.
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| | Site: Couchville Cedar Glade, Davidson County, TN Date: 2016-March-30 | Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
Nikon D7000
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro | | The inflorescence of Boechera laevigata is a loose raceme atop the single stem, perhaps branching. There are reports that the plant may produce axillary inflorescences as well. The 16-45 flowers are each held ascending to spreading on eventually-drooping pedicels. All aspects of the inflorescence are glabrous. The plant blooms in mid-spring to early summer. | | 
| | Site: Couchville Cedar Glade, Davidson County, TN Date: 2016-March-30 | Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000 | | The 4 white petals of Smooth Rockcress are usually only slightly longer than the green sepals, about one-quarter (.25) of an inch long. As with most Brassicaceae, each flower has 6 stamens in 2 whorls, with the outer pair of stamens shorter than the inner two pair. The flower will develop the fruit - a silique - up to about 5 inches long, not appressed to the inflorescence stem, as is the case with the fruit of several Rockcress species. | | Click on the photo for a larger image
| | Site: Couchville Cedar Glade, Davidson County, TN Date: 2016-March-30 | Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000 | | The stem of Boechera laevigata is glaucous, and may be green or reddish, as may be the leaves. The rosette of basal leaves are on petioles and have toothed margins (serrate or dentate) with small hairs on the teeth. The surface of the basal leaves may be glabrous, usually the case during anthesis, or may be sparsely populated with small hairs. The lower- and mid-stem leaves are alternate, glabrous, and clasping with auricled bases. | | Click on the photo for a larger image
| | Site: Couchville Cedar Glade, Davidson County, TN Date: 2016-March-30 | Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000 | | The upper cauline leaves of Smooth Rockcress are alternate, sessile, not clasping, and narrower than the lower stem leaves. The plant can grow up to about 20 inches tall. | | Click on the photo for a larger image
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References used for identification and information:
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