Spreading yellowcress

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Spreading yellowcress leaves

Spreading yellowcress

Spreading yellowcress inflorescence

Spreading yellowcress leaf

Morphology

Stem

Decumbent to prostrate or ascending, much-branched above, sparsely to moderately pubescent.

Leaves

Basal and/or cauline, alternate; basal leaves simple, usually sessile, sometimes short-petiolate; blade oblanceolate to spatulate in outline, .8 to 4 inches long, .2 to 1.4 inch wide, margins pinnatifid, under surfaces pubescent with simple hairs, upper surfaces glabrous; cauline leaves sessile; blade oblanceolate to oblong or lanceolate, .8 to 3.6 inches long, .2 to .8 inch wide; base auricled or not, sometimes clasping stem, margins coarsely serrate to pinnatifid.

Inflorescence

Racemose, terminal; fruiting pedicels widely spreading, often with sigmoid curve, .3 to .5 inch.

Flower

Sepals 4, distinct, ascending, ovate to lanceolate or oblong, .1 to .16 inch; petals 4, yellow, oblong to oblanceolate or narrowly spatulate, .12 to .2 inch, longer than sepals; stamens 6, 4 long stamens barely exserted, 2 short stamens included.

Fruit

Siliques, cylindric, ascending, .16 to .6 inch long, .04 to .1 inch wide; seeds yellowish brown, heart-shaped, less than .04 inch, minutely papillose.

Ecology

Habitat

Muddy to sandy shores of rivers, streams, and ponds, marshes, ditches, and wet depressions

Distribution

Throughout Kansas

Practical Information

Uses

The Zuni used smoke from the flowers to alleviate inflamed eyes.

Additional Notes