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.
CUSICKIELLA
Perennial, low-cespitose, taprooted
Leaves generally basal, clustered at tips of caudex branches, sessile, entire
Flower: sepals hairy or not, bases not sac-like; petals erect, white or yellowish, distinct claws 0; ovules 2 per chamber
Fruit sessile above receptacle, ovate to ± oblong or fusiform, not or ± flat toward tip; valves rounded or keeled; pedicel ascending
Seed generally 1, 2–3 mm, brown, plump, ± round or ovate-oblong; wing 0; embryonic root at back of 1 cotyledon
Species in genus: 2 species: w US
Etymology: (W.C. Cusick, Oregon plant collector, 1842–1922)
Reference: [Rollins 1988 J Jap Bot 63:65–69]
| Native |
C. douglasii (A. Gray) Rollins
Caudex branches underground
Stem 3–5 cm, hairy or not
Leaf oblanceolate; hairs generally on margins, some not, generally simple
Fruit 3–7 mm, ± flat; hairs generally simple or 0; pedicel hairy or not; style 0.5–1.5 mm
Ecology: Rocky ridges, slopes
Elevation: 1500–2450 m.
Bioregional distribution: Klamath Ranges, North Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada, San Bernardino Mountains, Great Basin Floristic Province
Distribution outside California: to Washington, Idaho, Utah
Flowering time: May–Jun
Synonyms: Draba d. A. Gray var. crockeri (Lemmon) C.L. Hitchc
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