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Arabis caucasica - Willd. ex Schltdl.

Common Name Rock Cress, Wall Rockcress
Family Brassicaceae or Cruciferae
USDA hardiness 4-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Mountain rocks and dry sites[45].
Range S.E. Europe - Mediterranean. Occasionally naturalized in Britain[17].
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Arabis caucasica Rock Cress, Wall Rockcress


Arabis caucasica Rock Cress, Wall Rockcress
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Selso

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early spring. Form: Spreading or horizontal.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Arabis caucasica is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from January to May, and the seeds ripen from April to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

A. albida.

Habitats

 Ground Cover; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

The leaves are used as a garnish in much the same way as watercress[183]. They are also sometimes used as a potherb[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

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.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

A good ground cover plant for sunny positions[188, 197], forming a carpet[208].

Special Uses

Food Forest  Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Alpine garden, Border, Ground cover, Rock garden. Easily grown in ordinary well-drained soil[1]. Prefers a poor soil[187]. Succeeds in partial shade[134] though it tends to become straggly[197]. Established plants are very tolerant of drought and grow very well on a dry bank[190], they also succeed when grown in walls[219, K]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is hardy to about -15°c[187], but can be rather invasive[200]. There are some named varieties selected for their ornamental value[187]. A good butterfly and moth plant[30]. Bees are attracted to the flowers. Plants resent root disturbance and are best put in their final positions whilst still small[134]. This species is closely related to A. alpina[200]. Special Features: Attractive foliage. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 8 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Propagation

Seed - it is best to surface sow the seed as soon as it is ripe in a light position in a cold frame[134]. Seed can also be sown in spring. It usually germinates in 2 - 3 weeks at 21°c[134]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division after flowering[111]. Very easy, the divisions can be planted out straight into their permanent positions if required. Cuttings in a shady border in summer[1].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Arabis alpinaAlpine Rock Cress, Alpine rockcressPerennial0.2 4-8  LMSNM20 
Arabis hirsutaHairy rockcress, Mountain rockcress, Creamflower rockcressBiennial/Perennial0.6 4-8  LMHSNDM10 
Arabis lyrataRock Cress, Kamchatka rockcress, Lyrate rockcressBiennial/Perennial0.3 4-8  LMHSNDM10 
Arabis pendula Biennial0.9 -  LMHFSNM10 
Arabis sagittata Biennial/Perennial0.6 -  LMHSNDM10 
Arabis serrata Perennial0.3 6-9  LMHSNM10 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Willd. ex Schltdl.

Botanical References

45200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Marinella Zepigi   Tue Jun 10 2008

Acta plantarum forum botanico Description - Photos - Arabis alpina L. subsp. caucasica (Willd.) Briq.

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Subject : Arabis caucasica  
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