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Species Details

Draba nemorosa L.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium Read more about this collection »

Leaves0.2-4.5 cm long and 0.1-2 cm wide; confined to lower third of stem; lance-shaped; toothed margin; bifid, trifid and cruciform hairs (Moss, 1983). Alternate (Johnson et al., 1995). FlowersUnbranched, elongated inflorescence; matures bottom upwards (raceme); flowers yellow; 10-50 in cluster; sepals 2-2.5 mm long; hairless or simple hairs; petals 2.5-4 mm long (Moss, 1983). Fruits and Seeds3-10 mm long; 1-2 mm wide; elliptical shape; hairless or slightly hairy (Moss, 1983).
Scientific Name Draba nemorosa L. Common Name annual whitlow-grass; woods draba (Johnson et al., 1995). General Description An annual and weedy herb that grows from a slender taproot to form erect stems 2-35 cm tall with forked and star-shaped hairs; bears yellow flowers (Johnson et al., 1995). Leaves 0.2-4.5 cm long and 0.1-2 cm wide; confined to lower third of stem; lance-shaped; toothed margin; bifid, trifid and cruciform hairs (Moss, 1983). Alternate (Johnson et al., 1995). Flowers Unbranched, elongated inflorescence; matures bottom upwards (raceme); flowers yellow; 10-50 in cluster; sepals 2-2.5 mm long; hairless or simple hairs; petals 2.5-4 mm long (Moss, 1983). Fruits and Seeds 3-10 mm long; 1-2 mm wide; elliptical shape; hairless or slightly hairy (Moss, 1983). Phenology April to July (JSTOR). Notes
2n=16* (Moss, 1983). There are 30 species of Draba in North America including: Draba borealis: northern whitlow-grass Draba stenoloba: slender whitlow-grass, Alaska draba Draba crassifolia/Draba albertina: thick…
2n=16* (Moss, 1983). There are 30 species of Draba in North America including: Draba borealis: northern whitlow-grass Draba stenoloba: slender whitlow-grass, Alaska draba Draba crassifolia/Draba albertina: thick leaved whitlow grass Draba cana/Draba lanceolata: lance-leaved whitlow grass Draba praealta: tall whitlow grass Identification of the different species requires close examination of hairs on the leaves; they grow in cold and windy areas (Johnson et al., 1995). Flower buds are close to the basal rosette of leaves to keep them warm and accessible to cross-pollinating insects (Johnson et al., 1995). When summer progresses the stalk of the flower increases to improve chance of seed dispersal by wind (Johnson et al., 1995).
Range/Distribution Alberta: Southern half of province and along eastern border to the north (Canadensys). CAN (BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, YT, NT, NU); USA (AK, WA, OR, CA, MT, ID, NV, WY, UT, CO, AZ, NM, ND, SD, NE, MN, IA, WI, MI) (USDA).

Citation

Page Citation for Draba nemorosa L.

Page Citation

"Species Details - Draba nemorosa L., University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search-test.museums.ualberta.ca/g/1-4782/12-169129. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.

Specimen Information

There are 64 specimens of this Species.

37 results plotted on map in 32 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

145300 - Draba nemorosa L.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Nameannual whitlow-grass; woods draba (Johnson et al., 1995). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Onefour Heritage Rangeland Natural Area Date Collected2003-06-23