Ontario Wildflowers website

Lyre-leaved Rock Cress
Arabidopsis lyrata
(formerly Arabis lyrata)

Lyre-leaved Rock Cress (Arabidopsis lyrata) Other scientific names: Arabis lyrata

Family: Mustard Family (Brassicaceae)

Group: Cresses

Distinctive features: Tiny basal leaves are usually (not always) lyre-shaped. White 4-part flowers atop a tall stalk.

Flowers: Spring;  White;  4 parts (petals)

Leaves: Simple

Habitat: Fields and Open Areas, Sand Dunes, Alvars

Grows in Sun/Shade: Sun

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 150   

Native/Non-native: Native

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: lyrata: lyre-shaped


Photographs: 108 photographs available, of which 7 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Lyre-leaved Rock Cress (Arabidopsis lyrata)

Lyre-leaved Rock Cress flowers.

Lyre-leaved Rock Cress (Arabidopsis lyrata)

Lyre-leaved Rock Cress (Arabidopsis lyrata)

Lyre-leaved Rock Cress (Arabidopsis lyrata)

Closeup view of a fully open flower.

Lyre-leaved Rock Cress (Arabidopsis lyrata)

The basal leaves of Lyre-leaved Rock Cress give this plant its common name.

Lyre-leaved Rock Cress (Arabidopsis lyrata)

Lyre-leaved Rock Cress (Arabidopsis lyrata)

Leaves on the rest of the plant.


Range map for Lyre-leaved Rock Cress (Arabidopsis lyrata)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)