treacle wallflower

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• treacle wallflower
• wormseed mustard
• Treacle Mustard
• Treacle-mustard

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Erysimum altum
• Erysimum cheiranthoides var. aquaticum
• Erysimum cheiranthoides f. paniculatum
• Erysimum cheiranthoides var. pygmaea
• Erysimum cheiranthoides var. laxa
• Erysimum cheiranthoides var. foliolosum
• Erysimum rectum
• Erysimum parviflorum
• Conringia turritoides
• Cheiranthus cheiranthoides var. prostratus
• Cheiranthus turritoides
• Sisymbrium cheiranthoides
• Crucifera erysimum
• Erysimastrum cheiranthus
• Erysimum japonicum
• Erysimum cheiranthoides var. nodosum
• Erysimum cheiranthoides var. paniculatum
• Erysimum cheiranthoides subsp. altum
• Erysimum cheiranthoides f. angustifolium
• Erysimum cheiranthoides var. umbrosa
• Erysimum cheiranthoides f. brachycarpum
• Erysimum cheiranthoides f. dentatum
• Erysimum cheiranthoides f. dolichocarpum
• Erysimum cheiranthoides var. japonicum
• Cheirinia cheiranthoides
• Cheirinia cheiranthoides
• Cheirinia cheiranthoides var. prostrata
• Cheiranthus scapigerus
• Cheiranthus aquaticus
• Cheiranthus cheiranthoides

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. Additionally, its presence is documented within the territories of Finland. The species also inhabits the landscapes of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, its geographical range extends to the unique environment of Iceland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Erysimum cheiranthoides is characterized by its broad adaptability to diverse environments and a wide altitudinal distribution. This species thrives across a substantial elevational gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum of 2000 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range centered around 1250 m AMSL. Its habitat preferences are highly varied, allowing it to colonize a multitude of ecological niches including crop fields, cut-over forests, forest edges, and hills. It is frequently found in disturbed or open landscapes such as old fields, meadows (both dry and mountainous), and sandy soils, as well as within inhabited places, demonstrating a robust capacity for survival in both natural and anthropogenic ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1250 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields, cut-over forest, forest edges, hills, inhabited places, meadows: dry, mountains, old fields, sand

Life history

The life history of Erysimum cheiranthoides is characterized by its status as an annual plant, completing its entire developmental cycle within a single growing season. As a therophyte, its life form is defined by an ephemeral existence where the plant survives the unfavorable season through highly resistant seeds rather than perennial vegetative structures. Throughout its active growth period, the plant maintains an evergreen state, retaining its foliage to maximize photosynthetic efficiency before the completion of its reproductive phase.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Erysimum cheiranthoides is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, lacking parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. The stature of the plant varies significantly, with a minimum height of 0.15 m, a maximum height of 1.2 m, and a mean plant height of approximately 0.3165 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.2 m

Plant height mean:

0.3165 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Erysimum cheiranthoides is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a metabolic process optimized for moderate environments rather than extreme heat or aridity. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies entirely on autotrophic nutrient acquisition through soil uptake and photosynthesis. The plant's foliar morphology plays a critical role in its resource management, exhibiting a mean leaf size of 12.16667 cm² and a mean leaf length of 4 cm, which ranges from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 6 cm. The leaf width is relatively narrow, with a mean width of 1.5 cm, though individual measurements vary from a minimum of 0.3 cm to a maximum of 0.9 cm. Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 220.14 cm²/g, a physiological metric that reflects its leaf mass per area and provides insight into its leaf thickness and its strategy for balancing light interception against water loss.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

6 cm

Leaf length mean:

4 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf size mean:

12.16667 cm²

Leaf width max:

0.9 cm

Leaf width mean:

1.5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.3 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

220.14 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Erysimum cheiranthoides is primarily sexual, characterized by bisexual flowers that facilitate the plant's reproductive cycle. The flowering period typically commences in May and extends through October. This process relies on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically involving insects such as bees, which ensure effective fertilization; notably, self-fertilization is also present within the species. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of a capsule. These capsules are dehiscent and exhibit a mean length of 3 cm (ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 4 cm) and a consistent width of approximately 0.1 cm. Seed dispersal is achieved through an autochorous syndrome, where the seeds are released from the fruit. The resulting seeds are quite small, with a uniform length of 1.1 mm and a mean mass of 0.000554 g, although individual seed mass can vary between a minimum of 0.00012 g and a maximum of 0.000266 g. There is no evidence of asexual reproduction in this species.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Oct

Fruit length max:

4 cm

Fruit length mean:

3 cm

Fruit length min:

2 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

0.1 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length mean:

1.1 mm

Seed mass max:

0.000266 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000554 g

Seed mass min:

0.00012 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Erysimum cheiranthoides has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
2. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Erysimum cheiranthoides has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cardenolides, Cheiranthoside III, Cheiranthoside VIII, Olitoriside, erysimoside.

Cardenolides

1. Phytochemistry

Cheiranthoside III

1. Planta medica

Cheiranthoside VIII

1. Planta medica

Olitoriside

1. Planta medica

erysimoside

1. Planta medica

strophanthidin

1. Planta medica

Preparations

Erysimum cheiranthoides has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include seeds, seeds of Erysimum cheiranthoides.

Seeds

1. Phytochemistry

Seeds of erysimum cheiranthoides

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin