Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Rorippa sinuata is a species of flowering plant in the mustard family known by the common name spreading yellowcress. It is native to North America, including most all of the western and central United States, where it grows in many types of moist and wet habitat, such as lakeshores and riverbanks, meadows, and mudflats. It is a perennial herb producing spreading stems up to 40 or 50 centimeters long. It is densely hairy, the hairs rounded like sacs or vesicles. The leaves are up to 8 centimeters long and have blades are deeply toothed, lobed, or divided into smaller leaflets. The inflorescence is an elongated raceme occupying the top portion of the stem containing many tiny yellow flowers just a few millimeters long. The fruit is a curved silique which is variable in size and shape but generally contains many minute seeds. The Zuni people use an infusion of plant used as a wash and smoke from the blossoms is used for inflamed eyes.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

1 ft Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Moderate

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Color

Yellow

Soil description

Prefers sandy or loamy soils. Does not grow well in clay soils.

Plant communities

Wetland-Riparian

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 3 likely

Confirmed Likely

Sara Orangetip

Anthocharis sara

Salt Marsh Moth

Estigmene acrea

Labrador Carpet

Xanthorhoe labradorensis