Aethionema armenum, also called rock cress,[2] stonecress, or Persian candytuft, is a low-growing evergreen shrub in the family Brassicaceae native to the Mediterranean.[3] There, it is typically found on rocky slopes above 800 meters.[4]

Aethionema armenum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Brassicales
Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Aethionema
Species:
A. armenum
Binomial name
Aethionema armenum
Synonyms[1]
  • Aethionema polygaloides Ledeb.
  • Aethionema pseudarmenum Stapf & Sprague
  • Aethionema recurvum Hausskn. & Bornm.

Description

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Aethionema armenum produces blue-green linear leaves less than an inch long. The plant, which consists of sprawling stems that are woody at the base and herbaceous at the tips, typically reaches about 4 inches tall and 8 or more inches across.[3] The flowers, which appear in mid-spring to early summer, are typically white or pink and 6 millimeters or more across.[4]

Cultivation

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Aethionema armenum does best in full sun and neutral to alkaline soil.[5] In the US, it is suitable to be grown outside in hardiness zones 5–7.[6] 'Warley Rose' is a common cultivar which has won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[7] It is susceptible to aphids and red spider mites.[8]

References

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  1. ^ The Plant List, Aethionema armenum Boiss.
  2. ^ "Rock Cress - Plant finder". Knights Garden Centres. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  3. ^ a b "Aethionema armenum Stonecress, Persian Candytuft". Aethionema armenum Stonecress, Persian Candytuft. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  4. ^ a b "Home". Alpine Garden Society. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  5. ^ "Aethionema armenum, Stone cress". Patlis.com. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  6. ^ "Aethionema armenum 'Warley Rose' | Chicago Botanic Garden". www.chicagobotanic.org. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  7. ^ "Aethionema 'Warley Rose' | stone cress 'Warley Rose'/RHS Gardening". www.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  8. ^ "Stonecress (Aethionema armenum) - Plants | Candide Gardening". Candide. Retrieved 2021-05-12.