Brassicaceae (Mustard Family) Brassicaceae (Mustard family) members are easy to distinguish - with few exceptions, the flowers have 4 petals and 4 sepals; 6 stamens (4 long and 2 short); and 2 rows of seeds on a pistil that is partitioned lengthwise into 2 divisions. Familar cultivated Family members include Mustard, Radishes, Watercress, Cauliflower, BokChoy and Broccoli. Rock Cress (Arabis), Wallflower (Erysimum) and Stock (Matthiola incana) are popular native ornamental species for gardens. Three of the species included here are aliens that are so pervasive in the area that they merit identification.

Brassicaceae Family members found on Montara Mountain include:

Arabis blepharophylla - (Rose Rock Cress) Arabis glabra - (Tower Mustard) Barbarea vulgaris - (Common Winter Cress) Brassica birapa - (Field Mustard) Dentaria cardimine californica - (Milkmaids)

Erysimum franciscanum - (San Francisco Wallflower) Hirschfeldia incana - (Summer Mustard) Lobularia maritima - (Sweet Alysum) Raphanus sativus - (Wild Radish)

Dentaria cardimine californica: Milkmaids Brassicaceae (Mustard Family) Flowers: White to light pink, four petals; in clusters at top of stems. Blooms: February - April Leaves: Oval lower leaves and three-part, lance-shaped upper pinnate leaves. Fruit/Seeds: Forming in pods on stems below flower cluster. Location: Shady, damp trails throughout te mountain. Status: Native - Common.	Dentaria cardimine californica 600x450 JPEG - 28K
	Further description & Comment: 4 - 15 inches tall, single stem; multiple clusters of flowers that develop into linear seed pods on the stem. This plant is first observed in early winter as a solitary fleshy leaf with rounded outline marks, and is one of the first of the spring wildflowers; presenting a surprising splash of white along the trail in February.

Erysimum franciscanum: San Francisco Wallflower Brassicaceae (Mustard Family) Flowers: Yellow , 4 petals in maltese cross, 1/2 inch across; in dome like clusters at tops of stems. Blooms: March - June Leaves: Narrow and toothed. Fruit/Seeds: Forming in pods on stems below flower cluster, extending from stem at roughly 45 degree angles. Location: Along trails at higher elevations, rocky or sandy areas - San Pedro Mountain Road, North Peak Access Road. Status: Native - Rare; Category 4: Plants of limited distribution - - a watch list. Further description & Comment: 1 to 2 feet tall. Along with Arabis blepharophylla - (Rose Rock Cress), Lupine and Sedum, it forms the main food source chain for the life cycle of the endangered San Bruno Elfin Butterfly.

Erysimum franciscum 500x375 JPEG - 28K Note the distinctive cluster of Maltese Cross shaped flowers that is indicative of this family.

This photo shows the narrow toothed leaves on the stem of the plant. Also note the seed pods forming on the stem below the flower cluster where earlier blooms had been. The feathery leaves around the base are from newly sprouting Common Yarrow plants. 600x450 JPEG - 36K

Return to Page 1 of Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)

Continue to Page 3 of Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)

Plant Listings by:	Family & Latin Name	Common Name	Color
Top of Page			Home