Constance's rockcress facts for kids

Boechera constancei is a special kind of flowering plant, often called Constance's rockcress. It belongs to the mustard family, just like the mustard plants you might know!

Constance's Rockcress: A Unique Plant

Where Does It Live?

This plant is very unique because it is endemic to California. This means it grows naturally only in a small area there. You can find it in the northern Sierra Nevada mountains, specifically in Plumas and Sierra Counties. It loves to grow in special serpentine soils, which are unusual soils found in certain places.

What Does It Look Like?

Constance's rockcress is a perennial herb. This means it's a plant that lives for many years, not just one season. It grows from a strong, woody base called a caudex, which has many branches. From this base, one or more straight, smooth stems grow upwards. These stems can reach heights of about 15 to 30 centimeters, which is roughly the length of a ruler.

At the bottom of the plant, around the woody base, there's a thick group of stiff, blue-green leaves. These leaves are shaped like a spear and can be up to 3 centimeters long. You might also see a few smaller leaves growing along the main stem.

Its Flowers and Fruits

The plant produces a cluster of flowers called an inflorescence. This cluster usually has about 5 to 10 white flowers that look like tiny mustard blossoms. Each flower has stamens, which are the parts that stick out and carry pollen.

After the flowers bloom, they turn into a type of fruit called a silique. This fruit hangs down and is green, growing to about 4 or 5 centimeters long. Inside the silique, you'll find round seeds that have small wings, which helps them spread.