Tower Rockcress
Turritis glabra
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kirgizstan, Korea, Krym, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Sicilia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Tanzania, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United States, Uzbekistan
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Genus:
- Turritis
- Species:
- Turritis glabra
- USDA Symbol:
- ARGL
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Biennial | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream, yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
California Marble (Euchloe hyantis), Checkered White (Pontia protodice), Large Marble (Euchloe ausonides), Northern Marble (Euchloe creusa), ⚠️Olympia Marble (Euchloe olympia), Paramidea lanceolata, Paramidea midea, Sara Orangetip (Anthocharis sara), Spring white (Pontia sisymbrii), Western white (Pontia occidentalis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in open, disturbed areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold stratification; light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.