Western Wallflower
Erysimum capitatum
Along Sycamore Creek at junction with Mesquite Wash, Maricopa Co., Arizona, USA, 24 April 2009.
FLOWERS: Bright yellow to orange-tinted flowers with four large petals
and a conspicuous stigma rising above the floral center. Four petals, four
sepals and six stamens. Blooming mid spring.
RANGE: Found on upper slopes in the desert mountains as well as in
transition to chaparral and piñon/juniper habitats. More common at the
higher elevations. Also found throughout the western United States with several
recognized varieties/subspecies.
BIENNIAL HERB: Herbaceous plant blooming in second year on
meter tall spike. During first year of growth majority of leaves are
in a cluster at ground level: basal rosette.
LEAVES: The lower basal leaves tend to be oblong whereas those on stem
above may be more linear. Leaf margins sometimes toothed.
FRUIT: Long, four-sided or flattened pods are oriented upwards.
UNARMED.