Mustard, Slimleaf - Schoenocrambe linearifolia,

Helypodium linearifolium

(Slimleaf Plainsmustard, Mountain Mustard, Hesper Mustard, Pink Windmills)

Family: Mustard (Brassicaceae) - Native

Location

On woodland trail before #16 (N35D32'56.670 X W105D41'12.797)


Flowers first observed: 8/11/17


The Plant w/Flowers

The Flowers


Distribution

 "AZ, s CO, NM, sw TX; south to n MEX." (SEINet)


Description

"Perennial herb, 30-100 cm tall, from a branched woody caudex; stems 1-several, slender and erect, simple or branched, the branches pointing upward; herbage glabrous. Leaves: First-year plants have a basal rosette of leaves which are petiolate, oblanceolate, 5-10 cm long, entire to toothed, and early-deciduous; stem leaves are oblanceolate low on the stem and linear above, short-petiolate or with cuneate bases, mostly entire or slightly toothed around the edges. Flowers: Purple and somewhat showy, in few-flowered racemes at branch tips, with ascending pedicels to 1 cm long; sepals 4, purplish, 5-6 mm long, the inner pair with slightly sac-shaped bases; petals 4, forming an X-shape, each petal 1-2 cm long, lavender to purplish with darker veins, with an obovate blade and slender claw. Fruits: Capsules linear, very slender, 3 mm to 7 cm long, ascending; seeds 1.5 mm long, in one row per locule." (SEINet)


Ethnobotanical Uses

"Used as a ceremonial eyewash and as a mouthwash for sore gums.(SEINet)


Internet Links

Rocky Mountains Flora


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