Erysimum capitatum (Western Wallflower) - photos and description
Basal leaf in above photo
Stem leaf in above photo
General: Upright plant with stiff stems. Foliage is covered with stiff short hairs, making it rough to touch.
Flowers: Flowers bright yellow in globose raceme, flowers measured to 18 mm diameter. Flowers fragrant.
Leaves: Basal leaves linear with long petioles, a few teeth, the basal leaf highlighted in the photo above was 55 mm long (including petiole) and 6 mm wide. Stem leaves alternate, reduced upwards, linear to linear-lanceolate, sessile, also with a few teeth, the stem leaf highlighted in the photo above was 30 mm long and 4 mm wide.
Height: Budd's Flora lists the height to 60 cm. We measured plants to 43 cm tall.
Habitat: Light and sandy prairie.
Abundance: Common.
Origin: Native.
Synonym: Listed in some of the field guides we use as Erysimum asperum.
Similar species: Might be confused with Erysimum inconspicuum, however that plant has flowers 6 to 8 mm diameter, while Erysimum capitatum has flowers 2 cm diameter (Taxonomic Reminder for Recognizing Saskatchewan Plants).
When and where photographed: Above photos were taken June 1st in a sandy pasture near Mortlach, about 100 km west of Regina, SK, and July 13th on prairie near Arcola, about 200 km southeast of our home in Regina, SK.