Leaves generally basal and cauline, alternate, generally simple; stipules 0
Inflorescence: generally raceme
Flower bisexual; sepals 4, free; petals (0)4, free, generally white or yellow, often clawed; stamens generally (2,4)6, generally 4 long, 2 short; ovary 1, superior, chambers generally 2, septum membranous, connecting 2 parietal placentas, style 1, stigma simple or 2-lobed
Fruit: generally capsule ("silique") with 2 deciduous valves, sometimes breaking transversely or indehiscent
Seeds 1–many per chamber
Genera in family: 300+ genera, 3000+ species: worldwide, especially cool regions; some cultivated for food (especially Brassica, Raphanus ) and ornamental
Recent taxonomic note: Recently treated to include Capparaceae [Rodman et al. 1993 Ann Missouri Bot Gard 80:686–699; Rollins 1993 Cruciferae of Continental North America. Stanford Univ Press]
Family description, key to genera by Robert A. Price.
DRABA
Robert A. Price
Annual to perennial herb, often cushion- or mat-forming; hairs often branched
Leaves basal and sometimes cauline, entire or shallowly toothed
Flower: sepal bases equal; petals < 10 mm, yellow or white, claw and limb generally distinct
Fruit < 30 mm, generally lanceolate to ovate, generally flat parallel to septum, less often partially inflated, sometimes twisted or wavy
Seeds: 2 rows per chamber; wing generally 0
Species in genus: 350+ species: n hemisphere, mtns of South America
Etymology: (Greek: acrid)
Reference: [Rollins & Price 1988 Aliso 12:17–27]
| Native |
D. subumbellata Rollins & R.A. Price
WHITE MOUNTAINS CUSHION DRABA
Perennial
Stems cushion- or mat-forming, < 5 cm; hairs dense, bush-like
Leaves basal, 2–6 mm, oblong to obovate, entire; surface hairs dense, bush-like; margin hairs 0 or not very prominent
Inflorescence 2–10-flowered
Flower: petals 3–5 mm, yellow
Fruit 2–7 mm, ovate, inflated at base, not twisted; hairs branched; style 0.2–0.7 mm
Seeds < 10, ± 1.5 mm; wings 0
Ecology: Scree, talus, among rocks
Elevation: > 3000 m.
Bioregional distribution: s High Sierra Nevada (e slope, nw Inyo Co.), n White and Inyo Mountains (White Mtns, Mono Co.).
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