Arabidopsis thaliana Thale Cress PFAF Plant Database

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Arabidopsis thaliana - (L.)Heynh.

Common Name

Thale Cress

Family

Brassicaceae or Cruciferae

Synonyms

Arabis thaliana.

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Walls and banks, hedgerows and waste places, and on dry soils[17].

Range

Most of Europe, including Britain, south and east to N. Africa and temperate Asia to Japan.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Arabidopsis thaliana is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). It is in flower from Apr to May. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects, self.The plant is self-fertile.

Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arabis_thaliana_Sturm6.jpg

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Alberto_Salguero

Habitats
Hedgerow; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses
None known

Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally. Mouthwash. The plant is used to cure sores in the mouth[240].

Other Uses
None known

Cultivation details
We have no specific information on the cultivation needs of this species. It will probably grow best in a reasonably sunny position, tolerating dry and poor soils. Please see the plants native habitat for further ideas on its cultivation needs[K].

Propagation
Seed - sow spring in situ.

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Expert comment

Author
(L.)Heynh.

Botanical References
17

Links / References

[K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[17]Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles.

A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.

[240]Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).

Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
Donald Heskett	Fri Jun 23 2006

It should be noted that this plant is very widely used in botanical research.

Elizabeth H.
Kim Gibson	Sun Oct 22 2006

I agree with Donald. The 'Other Uses' section should be updated and include a discussion of the fact that this is the lab-rat of the plant sciences. The entire genome has been sequenced which has allowed for genetic, molecular, and biochemical studies. The Arabidopsis genome has been used as a reference point for other plants whose genomes have yet to be sequenced. The small size of the genome, short lifespan, and ease of growth of Arabidopsis makes it a good plant to use for general botanical research.

The Arabidopsis Information Resource "Database of genetic and molecular data" for Arabidopsis

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Subject : Arabidopsis thaliana

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