lyrate rockcress

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• lyrate rockcress
• lyre-leaved rockcress
• Lyre-leaf Rockcress
• Lyreleaf Rockcress

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Erysimum lyratum
• Arabis lyrata
• Cardaminopsis lyrata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Brassicales, it falls under the family Brassicaceae. Specifically, it is categorized under the genus Arabidopsis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across various regions of Northern Europe. Its presence can be documented within the borders of Finland and the islands of Iceland. Furthermore, it is found inhabiting the landscapes of Great Britain and Ireland. The species also extends its reach to the remote territory of Føroyaar. These specific locations highlight the northern geographical range of Arabidopsis lyrata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Arabidopsis lyrata is characterized by its ability to thrive in demanding and well-drained environments, specifically favoring habitats consisting of sand and stony places. These nutrient-poor, rocky substrates provide the specific drainage requirements and soil textures necessary for its growth patterns. By occupying such niches, the plant often competes in open landscapes where soil stability may be low and exposure to environmental elements is high, utilizing its specialized physiological adaptations to persist in these rugged, mineral-rich settings.

Habitat :

sand, stony places

Genetics

The genetics of Arabidopsis lyrata are characterized by a stable diploid genome, possessing a ploidy level of 2. As a close relative of the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana, it serves as a vital genetic resource for studying evolutionary divergence, genome evolution, and the mechanisms of speciation. Its chromosomal architecture and gene sequences provide essential data for understanding how genetic variation arises and is maintained within the Brassicaceae family. The diploid nature of this species allows researchers to map complex genetic traits and study recombination patterns with high precision, facilitating deep insights into the molecular basis of adaptation and the genomic transitions that occur between related plant lineages.

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Arabidopsis lyrata is characterized by a versatile developmental strategy, as its lifecycle can be described as perennial, though it also exhibits variable patterns including annual and biennial stages depending on environmental conditions. In terms of its physical structure and survival mechanisms, the plant manifests as both a hemicryptophyte and a therophyte, utilizing these life forms to navigate seasonal shifts and resource availability. Furthermore, the species exhibits deciduousness, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal physiological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Arabidopsis lyrata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber or a liana, maintaining an independent lifestyle as it is neither a parasite nor an epiphyte, typically inhabiting terrestrial environments. In terms of stature, the plant is relatively small, with a height that ranges from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.25 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 0.075 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.25 m

Plant height mean:

0.075 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Arabidopsis lyrata is characterized by its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic process common to most temperate plant species where carbon fixation occurs directly through the Calvin cycle. Morphologically, the plant exhibits a mean leaf size of 0.48 cm², reflecting its compact growth habit. Furthermore, its resource allocation and leaf structure are reflected in a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 315.9 cm²/g, an indicator of the ratio between leaf area and dry mass that influences its light interception efficiency and nutrient management strategies.

Leaf size mean:

0.48 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

315.9 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Arabidopsis lyrata is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window, typically beginning in May and concluding in July. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. While it utilizes biotic methods, self-fertilization is also present, ensuring reproductive success under various environmental conditions. Once fertilization is complete, the plant produces seeds with a highly consistent mass; the mean seed mass is recorded at 0.000138 g, with the maximum and minimum values both noted at 0.000176 g. For the spreading of its progeny, Arabidopsis lyrata employs an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning it relies on wind to transport its small seeds to new locations.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jul

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.000176 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000138 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Arabidopsis lyrata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Camalexin.

Camalexin

1. Phytochemistry