diminutive crucifer

Forums: 
Plant Identification

It's small but it's mighty. It has been flowering two years in the garden and seems to be spreading in a refined way. It doesn't look anything what the label specifies - Bolanthus - wrong family. But I'm curious - sort of like it. Does anyone know what it might be? Fran

Comments

Howey's picture

Howey (not verified)

Tue, 11/29/2011 - 6:18am

Just wanted to point out that this plant has long thin noteworthy seed pods radiating out somewhat like a fringe tiara if that helps.  Don't know why this pic doesn't enlarge for me??  Fran

Richard T. Rodich's picture

Richard T. Rodich

Tue, 11/29/2011 - 7:46am

I don't have a clue what this is, but any additional information is usually very helpful for an accurate ID. 

When I click on your photo, it does enlarge, but not full page because you resized it to just 500 x 375 pixels.  I resize nearly all of my photos I post to an 800 x 600 pixels.  Sometimes I will go more if greater detail is important.

Doreen Mear's picture

Doreen Mear

Wed, 12/14/2011 - 5:41pm

Might I tentatively suggest Raffenaldia primuloides? Difficult to be sure without being able to blow up your photo more, but worth a google.

If it is Raffenaldia, I heartily recommend getting rid of it a.s.a.p. before it takes over your garden! I sowed seed of it, liked the look of it the first year, pulled out a hundred self-sown seedlings the following year and am still pulling out stray ones.

Howey's picture

Howey (not verified)

Thu, 12/15/2011 - 2:48am

Thanks for your reply Doreen.  Guess it is  case of a "wolf in sheep's clothing" - I'll get rid of it ASAP.  Yes, it certainly looks like Raffenaldia primuloides.  You never know what accompanies your Seedex orders sometimes.  This year, what looks like a weedy Hypericum turned up in many of the pots and those little Miners' Lettuce seedlings are sprouting all over the place.  Sometimes the "interlopers" are something of value and isn't that half the fun of these seedexes?  Speaking of seedexes, isn't this the day that the NARGs seedex is posted on the internet?  Gotta run and take a look.  Fran

Frances Howey
London, Ontario, Canada
Zone 5b

Doreen Mear's picture

Doreen Mear

Thu, 12/15/2011 - 3:15am

It might be OK confined to a trough or a large pot where you could keep a close watch on its self-seeding habits, as it's quite neat and colourful. But I thought I'd rather use the space for something better behaved!
Yes, I think you're right, Fran, Today's the Day, but it's past my bedtime so the fun with the seedex will have to wait till tomorrow!

AndreasH's picture

AndreasH (not verified)

Fri, 02/14/2014 - 11:08pm

Pictured plant is Barbarea rupicola cv. "Sunnyola", often confused with Raffenaldia primuloides.

I´m not sure, if Raffenaldia is in cultivation, at most rarely.