The
photo at right shows the basal cluster of leaves of hairy rock cress (variety
glabrata) as seen along the north Steens Mt. Loop Rd in southeastern Oregon.........June
21, 2004. Note the numerous spreading hairs on the upper leaf surfaces as well
as along the margins. The site where these photographs were taken is a vernally
moist riparian area that is surrounded closely by big sagebrush.
Hairy rock cress is a biennial or short-lived perennial. One to several simple stems arise from a strong taprot to a height of 100 cm. The lower part of the plant is strongly haired with simple or a few forked hairs, but the herbage is smooth above. The leaves are found primarily on the stems. The basal leaves are oblanceolate or obovate-spatulate with short, winged petioles and entire to serrate margins. The basal leaves are 2-8 cm long. The 5-15 stem leaves are auriculate and sessile, ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate-elliptic, as much as 3 cm wide and 2-12 cm long.
The 4 sepals are 3-5 mm long. The 4 white or creamy petals are 4-9 mm long. The inflorescence is a many-flowered raceme. The seed capsules are long, linear siliques, from 3-8 cm long and 1-2 mm wide. The siliques are erect.
Var. glabrata: Petals generally over 5 mm in length. Stem leaves mostly entire. Stigma nearly entire and siliques 1-1.3 mm wide. Usually found from low to high elevations in the mountains, usually not coastal. Found from British Columbia to California.
Var. eschscholtziana: Petals generally over 5 mm in length. Stem leaves (especially lower ones) usually toothed. Stigma lobed and siliques 1.3-2 mm wide. Often along coast and in lower coastal mountains. Found from Alaska to southern Oregon.
Hairy rock cress is found in moist forests and forest openingsor open riparian areas at all elevations.
Hairy rock cress is found from the Arctic south through much of North America to California, Arizona, and New Mexico, and as far east as the mid-Atlantic states.
In the Columbia River Gorge, variety glabrata may be found at an approximate elevation of 100' on the rocky face at the old navigation lock at Bonneville Dam.
