[Wallflowers: The Genus Erysimum in the Columbia River
Gorge of Oregon and Washington]
Douglas' Wallflower, Prairie Rocket, Rough Wallflower, Sanddune Wallflower, Western Wallflower
Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum
Synonyms: Erysimum arkansanum, Erysimum asperum, Erysimum asperum var. arkansanum, Erysimum asperum var. capitatum, Erysimum capitatum ssp. capitatum, Erysimum capitatum var. stellatum, Erysimum capitatum var. washoense, Erysimum elatum, Erysimum moniliforme, Erysimum wheeleri
Rough wallflower as seen high on the southeastern slopes of Sevenmile Hill several miles to the northwest of The Dalles, Oregon........April 12, 2015.
The photo at right shows rough wallflower as seen at the crest of the Columbia Hills, northeast of the Dallesport, WA.........June 3, 2006.
Characteristics:
Rough wallflower like other cousins of the same name, is an
attractive wildflower with a sweet fragrance. It is a biennial or short-live
perennial usually found with a single erect stem which is most often unbranched
and ranges from 20-100 cm tall. The basal leaves are numerous, in a rosette
with entire to toothed margins. The basal leaves range from 3-12 cm long and
2-10 mm wide. The stem leaves may be entire to toothed margined too, and are
reduced in size.
The petals are yellow or deep orange and range from 15-25 mm
long The seed pods are slightly flattened siliques from 3-10 cm long and about
1-1.5 mm wide. The siliques ascend or are erect, and may be straight or slightly
arched.
Rough wallflower would make an excellent addition to the naturalized
garden!
Habitat:
Rough wallflower is found on open to lightly wooded slopes.
Range:
Rough wallflower is found from southern British Columbia eastward
to Minnesota, and southwards to Oklahoma and California. It is generally found
east of the Cascade Mts., but is found westward through the Columbia Gorge into
the Willamette Valley.
In the Columbia River Gorge, it may be found throughout the
breadth of the gorge and from 100'-4900'.
Rough wallflower blooming on the east rim of the Klickitat River near the end of the South Breaks Road, Klickitat Wildlife Area...........May 1, 2014.
The photo above shows a the long seed pod of
rough wallflower with its squared-off corners, a characteristic of this species.
The photo above shows a close-up of the seed
pod shown above of rough wallflower with its squared-off corners, a characteristic
of this species. Note the minute, appressed hairs covering the pod.
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Rough wallflower blooming along the Lyle-Cherry Orchard Trail, Columbia River Gorge.........April 2, 2015.
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Close-up images of the inflorescences of rough wallflower as observed along old highway 8 adjacent to Rowland Lake, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.......April 3, 2018.
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The inflorescence and a close-up of the flower of rough wallflower. It starts
as a tight raceme in bud which elongates greatly as it flowers. Photographed
from the southern slopes of Mt. Adams in May 2005.
Rough wallflower blooming at Catherine Creek.........April 13, 2016.
Paul Slichter