Caulanthus crassicaulis

(Torr.) S. Watson

Wild cabbage

Brassicaceae Edible: Leaves 692 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Caulanthus crassicaulis is a species of flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae known by the common name thickstem wild cabbage. It is native to the western United States where it is a member of the flora in sagebrush, woodland, and desert scrub habitats. This is a perennial herb producing a stout, inflated stem from a woody caudex base. The leaves form a basal rosette and occur at intervals along the stem. They are broadly lance-shaped on the lower stem and much smaller and linear in shape higher up. They may have smooth, toothed, or deeply cut edges. The rounded flower has a coat of thick, pouched sepals which part at the flower tip to reveal narrow dark purple or brown petals. There are two varieties of this species: var. crassicaulis generally has hairy flowers, while var. glaber has hairless. The fruit is a long, thin silique which may approach 13 centimeters (5.1 in) in length.

Description

A cabbage family herb. The stems are 20-100 cm long and 3 cm wide. The leaves at the base are in a ring. They are 1-2 cm long by 3-45 mm wide. The leaves on the stem are narrow.

Edible Uses

The leaves are occasionally eaten.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are occasionally eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

North America, USA,

Synonyms

Caulanthus glaber (M. E. Jones) Rydb.Caulanthus senilis A. HellerStreptanthus crassicaulis Torr.

References (3)

Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
Saunders, C.F., 1948, Edible and Useful Wild Plants. Dover. New York. p 126
World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew