[Yellow Cresses: The Genus Rorippa in the Columbia River
Gorge of Oregon and Washington]
Curvepod Yellowcress, Western Yellow Cress
Rorippa curvisiliqua var. curvisiliqua
Synonyms: Nasturtium curvisiliqua, Radicula curvisiliqua, Sisymbrium curvisiliqua
The photo above shows a close-up of the inflorescences and leaves
of western yellow cress as seen on disturbed soils on the southeastern slopes
of Mt. Adams.........June 12, 2005.
Photo
at right of western yellow cress from the Fisher Hill Rd, Major Creek Plateau,
Columbia River Gorge.......June 30, 1991. Note the numerous curved seed capsules (siliques).
Characteristics:
Western yellow cress is an annual or biennial with a single
stem branched above or a widespread cluster of branches fro near the base. The
plant ranges from 10-40 cm tall. The variable leaves range from 2-7 cm long.
They are oblong and entire to pinnatifid. The lobes are entire to toothed and
linear to ovate in shape.
The flowers are small and yellow, with the sepals 1-2 mm long
and the petals of similar size. The siliques range from 6-15 mm long and 1-1.5
mm wide. They are curved to straight and round in cross-section.
Habitat:
Western yellow cress is found in moist soil or shallow water
at varied elevations, and may be found in ponds, ditches, and along river shores.
Range:
Western yellow cress is found from British Columbia east to
Montana and Colorado, and south to Baja California.
In the Columbia River Gorge, it may be found from 0'-2100' from
near Troutdale, OR east to the vicinity of The Dalles, OR.
The photo above shows a close-up of the flowers of western yellow cress as seen on the beach at the Dalles Riverside Park in the Columbia River Gorge........September 29, 2007. Note the siliques beginning to extend from the previously pollinated flowers.
The photo above shows one of the arched seed pods of western yellow cress as seen on the beach at the Dalles Riverside Park in the Columbia River Gorge.........September 29, 2007.
The photo above shows a close-up of the leaf
of western yellow cress as seen in disturbed soils on the southeastern slopes
of Mt. Adams.........June 12, 2005.
The photo above shows a raceme of seed pods, some of which are arched, of western yellow cress as seen on the beach at the Dalles Riverside Park in the Columbia River Gorge.........September 29, 2007.
The photo above shows one of the lower leaves of western yellow cress as seen on the beach at the Dalles Riverside Park in the Columbia River Gorge.........September 29, 2007.
Western yellowcress as seen on a low sandbar along the Klickitat River at Beeks Canyon, Klickitat County, Washington......July 21, 2011.
Western yellowcress as seen on a low gravel bar along a slough just east of the Sandy River Delta, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.........September 8, 2012.
Western Yellow Cress from vernal pond (impoundment
for watering cows) atop the Columbia Hills, Columbia River Gorge........June 1, 1997.
Paul Slichter