| Erysimum capitatum | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
|
Secure (NatureServe) |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Brassicales |
| Family: | Brassicaceae |
| Genus: | Erysimum |
| Species: | E. capitatum |
| Binomial name | |
| Erysimum capitatum (Dougl. ex Hook.) Greene |
|
Erysimum capitatum is a species of wallflower known commonly as the sanddune wallflower, western wallflower, or prairie rocket. It is a mustard-like plant with thin, erect stems growing from a basal rosette and topped with dense bunches of variably colored flowers. Flowers are most typically bright golden, yellow, tangerine-colored, but plants in some populations may have red, white or purple flowers. Each flower has four flat petals. Seed pods are nearly-parallel to the stem. Although quite variable in appearance, it is an attractive garden plant.
There are several natural variants of this plant. Each is treated separately, with certain variants considered endangered species in some areas. For example Erysimum capitatum var angustatum, the Contra Costa wallflower, is an endangered plant in the state of California.
This species can be found across North America, but some variants have an extremely narrow distribution, especially in California. E. capitatum capitatum is widely distributed all over Utah, where it flowers from May to July (see Utah Valley State College Herbarium webpage). It is also widely distributed in Colorado.
Little information on its relationship with pollinators exists for this wallflower species. Andrew Moldenke studied a population of Erysimum capitatum var. perenne during 1968-1970 in Timberland Hall Area- Subalpine Talus Fell Scree (2900-3500 m elevation). This author observed 13 species of flower visitors, although over 80% of the visits to their flowers were performed by two ant species, Formica lasioides and one from the Formica fusca group.