Rorippa sessiliflora Plant Identification (Flower, Leaf, Care, Uses)

Rorippa sessiliflora (Nutt.) Hitchc. – Sessile-flowered Cress

Rorippa sessiliflora plant

FamilyBrassicaceae

Stems:

Rorippa sessiliflora stem

Leaves:

Rorippa sessiliflora leaves

Inflorescence:

N/A

Flowers:

Rorippa sessiliflora flowersFlowers.

Rorippa sessiliflora fruitsFruits.

Flowering – March – October.

Habitat – Wet muddy soils, river flood plains, swamps, railroads.

Origin – Native to North America.

Other information – This species can be found scattered throughout Alabama. The plant is probably more common than reported.
R. sessilifolia can be identified by its habitat, deeply cut leaves, and minute, yellowish flowers.
The genus name Rorippa is derived from the old Saxon word “Rorripen” for these types of plants.
The species epithet sessiliflora derives from the Latin “sessil” meaning “sitting on, sedentary, without a stem” and “flor(a)” meaning “a flower” referring to the flowers which are sessile or on peduncles to -2mm long.

Alabama Distribution:

Rorippa sessiliflora map

Photographs taken at Davis Ferry, Monroe County, AL., 3-26-06.