Tropidocarpum gracile Hook.

Nomenclature and Classification

Tropidocarpum gracile Hook. is a flowering plant species in the mustard family Brassicaceae, commonly known by the common name dobie pod.

Native Range

This species is native to California and Baja California.

Habitat

It grows in a wide variety of habitat types, ranging from coastal canyons to inland mountains and deserts, and can be found in chaparral, scrub, woodlands, beaches, valleys, and washes.

Growth Form and Stem

It is an annual herb that grows a decumbent to erect, spreading, branching stem, reaching 10 to 50 centimeters in length.

Pubescence

The entire plant is covered in a coating of both short and long rough hairs.

Basal Leaves

Its basal leaves can grow up to 10 to 15 centimeters long, with elongated lobes along their edges.

Upper Stem Leaves

Leaves positioned higher on the stem are shorter, and sometimes less deeply divided than the basal leaves.

Inflorescence and Flower Structure

Its inflorescence is an open raceme of mustard-like flowers, each flower holding four petals that are each around 4 millimeters long.

Petal Coloration

The petals are yellow, and sometimes have a purple tinge.

Fruit and Seeds

Its fruit is a narrow silique that reaches several centimeters in length, holding tiny brown seeds inside.