[Drabas and Whitlow-grasses: The Genus Draba in the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington]

Alkali Cusickiella, Douglas' Draba

Cusickiella douglasii

Synonyms: Draba douglasii, Draba douglasii var. crockeri

Alkali Cusickiella, Douglas' Draba: Cusickiella douglasii (Synonyms: Draba douglasii, Draba douglasii var. crockeri)

Douglas' draba as seen in the Columbia Hills in the eastern Columbia River Gorge.........March 17, 2007. Note the numerous hairs on the margins of the leaves to the upper left of the flowers.

Basal leaves of Alkali Cusickiella, Douglas' Draba: Cusickiella douglasii (Synonyms: Draba douglasii, Draba douglasii var. crockeri) Characteristics:

Douglas' draba is a low, matted perennial with short stems from 1-2 cm high, the stems covered with old leaves at the base. Individual leaves are thick,leathery, and rigid, the earlier leaves spatulate and 5-7 mm long and the later oblanceolate in shape and u to 14 mm long. They are somewhat concave above with a stout midrib. The herbage consists of simple and forked hairs, or the leaves may occasionally be glabrous.

The racemes are 2-10 flowered. The flowers are white with four petals from 4-6 mm long. The fruits are somewhat inflated silicles which are ovoid, leathery and 3-7 mm long. They are covered with short simple hairs.


Habitat:

Douglas' draba may be found on open rocky ridges among sagebrush and grasses.


Range:

Douglas' draba may be found from south-central Washington to central and southeastern (Steens Mt.) Oregon, and south to central Nevada.

In the Columbia River Gorge, it may be found in the Columbia Hills.


Alkali Cusickiella, Douglas' Draba: Cusickiella douglasii (Synonyms: Draba douglasii, Draba douglasii var. crockeri)

Douglas' draba as seen in the Columbia Hills in the eastern Columbia River Gorge.........early March 2005. Note the numerous hairs on the margins of the leaves.

Alkali Cusickiella, Douglas' Draba: Cusickiella douglasii (Synonyms: Draba douglasii, Draba douglasii var. crockeri) - Alkali Cusickiella, Douglas' Draba: Cusickiella douglasii (Synonyms: Draba douglasii, Draba douglasii var. crockeri)

Douglas' draba as seen in the Columbia Hills in the eastern Columbia River Gorge.........March 17, 2007. Note the spreading hairs along the margins of the leaves.

Alkali Cusickiella, Douglas' Draba: Cusickiella douglasii (Synonyms: Draba douglasii, Draba douglasii var. crockeri) - Alkali Cusickiella, Douglas' Draba: Cusickiella douglasii (Synonyms: Draba douglasii, Draba douglasii var. crockeri) - Alkali Cusickiella, Douglas' Draba: Cusickiella douglasii (Synonyms: Draba douglasii, Draba douglasii var. crockeri)

Douglas' draba blooming in the Columbia Hills, Columbia River Gorge.....April 5, 2023.

Alkali Cusickiella, Douglas' Draba: Cusickiella douglasii (Synonyms: Draba douglasii, Draba douglasii var. crockeri)

Douglas' draba in fruit.

Alkali Cusickiella, Douglas' Draba: Cusickiella douglasii (Synonyms: Draba douglasii, Draba douglasii var. crockeri) - Alkali Cusickiella, Douglas' Draba: Cusickiella douglasii (Synonyms: Draba douglasii, Draba douglasii var. crockeri)

Alkali Cusickiella, Douglas' Draba: Cusickiella douglasii (Synonyms: Draba douglasii, Draba douglasii var. crockeri) - Alkali Cusickiella, Douglas' Draba: Cusickiella douglasii (Synonyms: Draba douglasii, Draba douglasii var. crockeri)

Douglas' draba blooming in the Columbia Hills of the eastern Columbia River Gorge........March 5, 2015.

Alkali Cusickiella, Douglas' Draba: Cusickiella douglasii (Synonyms: Draba douglasii, Draba douglasii var. crockeri) - Alkali Cusickiella, Douglas' Draba: Cusickiella douglasii (Synonyms: Draba douglasii, Draba douglasii var. crockeri)

Douglas' draba blooming in the Columbia Hills of the eastern Columbia River Gorge.............April 3, 2013.

Alkali Cusickiella, Douglas' Draba: Cusickiella douglasii (Synonyms: Draba douglasii, Draba douglasii var. crockeri)

Flower buds opening on Douglas' drag as seen in the Columbia Hills, Columbia River Gorge.......March 23, 2021.

Paul Slichter