Angiosperms (Flowering Plants) • Earth.com

Alpine pennycress

(Noccaea praecox)

galery
en

Description

Noccaea praecox is a small herbaceous plant that belongs to the Brassicaceae family. This plant is native to the European Alps and is found growing in rocky and alpine habitats. It is commonly known as early rockcress or alpine penny-cress. Taxonomy Noccaea praecox was first described by Franz Josef Ruprecht in 1869. Its genus name Noccaea was established by Al-Shehbaz in 2005, replacing the earlier genus Thlaspi. The specific epithet praecox refers to the early flowering habit of this plant. Description Noccaea praecox is a small plant that grows up to 15 cm in height. Its stem is slender, erect, and branched at the base. The leaves are simple, entire, and oblong to spatulate in shape, with a length of up to 4 cm. The plant produces a rosette of leaves at the base of the stem and smaller leaves along the stem. The flowers of Noccaea praecox are small, white to pale pink, and are arranged in loose clusters at the end of the stem. They have four petals and six stamens. The flowering period of this plant is from May to July. Distribution and habitat Noccaea praecox is native to the European Alps, where it is found growing at high altitudes. It is also found in the Carpathians, the Balkan Mountains, and the Pyrenees. The plant grows in rocky and alpine habitats, including scree slopes, rock crevices, and alpine meadows. Ecology Noccaea praecox is adapted to the harsh conditions of alpine habitats. It has a deep taproot that can access water and nutrients from deep soil layers, and its leaves are covered with fine hairs that help to reduce water loss through transpiration. The plant is an early bloomer, which allows it to take advantage of the short growing season in alpine habitats. It is also self-incompatible, meaning that it cannot self-fertilize and relies on pollinators for reproduction. The flowers are visited by a variety of insects, including bees, butterflies, and flies. Overall, Noccaea praecox plays an important role in the ecosystem of alpine habitats by providing food and habitat for pollinators and other organisms. Uses Noccaea praecox is not widely cultivated, but it has potential as an ornamental plant for alpine rock gardens. The plant's attractive small white to pale pink flowers and its adaptability to harsh growing conditions make it a desirable addition to rock gardens. The plant is also used in traditional medicine in some areas of its range, although its medicinal properties have not been extensively studied. It is believed that the plant may have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, and it has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including fever, respiratory infections, and digestive problems. Despite its potential uses, Noccaea praecox is not commonly utilized and is mostly known as a wild plant found in alpine habitats. Conservation status Noccaea praecox is not considered to be threatened at the global level, but it is rare in some parts of its range, particularly in the Balkans. Habitat loss and fragmentation due to human activities, such as tourism and infrastructure development, pose a threat to the plant's survival in some areas. Conclusion Noccaea praecox is a small but interesting plant that is well adapted to the harsh conditions of alpine habitats. Although it is not widely cultivated or used, it has potential as an ornamental plant and may have medicinal properties that are yet to be discovered. Conservation efforts are needed to ensure the survival of this plant in its natural habitat.

Taxonomic tree:

Domain:
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum:
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order:Brassicales
Family:Brassicaceae
Genus:Noccaea
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