sicklepod rockcress
Boechera sparsiflora
Also known as: Columbian rockcress, elegant rockcress, hairystem rockcress, sicklepod rockcress
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
iNaturalist: © scotbo900 (iNaturalist #215418150)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Genus:
- Boechera
- Species:
- Boechera sparsiflora
- USDA Symbol:
- ARSP
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Biennial | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 80 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Large Marble (Euchloe ausonides), Paramidea lanceolata, Sara Orangetip (Anthocharis sara), Spring white (Pontia sisymbrii)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- small mammals, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Colonizes disturbed and post-fire sites; not fire-dependent but benefits from disturbance.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained sandy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to rocky slopes and open woodlands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best with cold stratification and light exposure.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI