Rorippa Curvisiliqua

Day 309: "Curvepod Yellowcress." That's the common name given to this enchanting little plant, awkward to enunciate and although descriptive, not particularly inspired. The Latin (Rorippa curvisiliqua) is much more euphonic: ro-RIP-uh cur-vy sil-EE-qua. Now that's loads of fun to say! As far as description goes, it's on a par with the English. The term "silique" (sil-EEK) tells us how the pods behave when they are fully ripe, i.e., typically at least twice as long as they are wide, they split longitudinally to release the seeds inside. This action can be quite dramatic, launching the seeds with force and an audible "pop."

I observed this plant in the Park for the first time last year, and to date have not seen it in any other location within our boundaries. In other environments, it grows taller and bushier, factors which make me wonder if the specimens in this particular area are stunted by late-lying snow, limited light and cold temperatures, or if they might be an undocumented subspecies. The presence of an unidentified "mini-aster" in the same location inclines me to think that the "habitat" theory is most likely the case (Occam's Razor: the simplest solution is most often correct). I love a good botanical puzzle, and this site presents two, the solutions for which may or may not be linked.