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Description
Draba Brachycarpa, also known as Shortfruit Whitlowgrass, is a small alpine plant that belongs to the mustard family. It is native to the western United States and Canada and is commonly found in rocky areas, meadows, and alpine habitats. This plant is an annual, biennial, or perennial herb that grows up to 3-20 cm tall. It has a rosette of basal leaves and produces small, white flowers that bloom from May to August.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Spermatophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Brassicales |
| Family | Brassicaceae |
| Genus | Draba |
| Species | D. Brachycarpa |
Appearance
The leaves of Draba Brachycarpa are basal and form a rosette. They are simple, entire, and spatulate-shaped. The leaves are hairy and can be up to 2 cm long. The plant produces small, white flowers that are about 2-3 mm in diameter. The flowers have four petals and are arranged in a raceme. The fruit is a silique that is 4-7 mm long and contains numerous small seeds.
Care Guide
Draba Brachycarpa is a hardy plant that requires minimal care. It can be grown in a variety of soil types as long as it is well-draining. The plant prefers full sun to partial shade and can tolerate drought conditions. It is important to water the plant regularly during the growing season and to fertilize it once a month with a balanced fertilizer. Draba Brachycarpa is hardy in zones 3-9.
Common Pests & Diseases
Draba Brachycarpa is generally resistant to pests and diseases. However, it can be susceptible to root rot if the soil is too wet. Aphids and whiteflies may also attack the plant, but they can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Habitat
Draba Brachycarpa is native to the western United States and Canada and is commonly found in rocky areas, meadows, and alpine habitats. It grows at an elevation of 2,000-4,000 meters and can tolerate cold temperatures and snow.
Question and Answer
Q: Is Draba Brachycarpa an edible plant?
A: No, Draba Brachycarpa is not an edible plant.
Q: Can Draba Brachycarpa be grown in containers?
A: Yes, Draba Brachycarpa can be grown in containers as long as they are well-draining and the plant receives adequate sunlight.
Q: Does Draba Brachycarpa attract pollinators?
A: Yes, Draba Brachycarpa flowers attract bees and other pollinators.
Q: How often should Draba Brachycarpa be fertilized?
A: Draba Brachycarpa should be fertilized once a month with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season.
Related Plants
- Draba Aizoides
- Draba Arkansana
- Draba Aurea
- Draba Breweri
- Draba Cana
References
- https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/draba_brachycarpa.shtml
- https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=DRBR2
- https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=DRBR2
