New Mexico State University
College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences | ACES
NMSU: Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands

Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands

Diné bikéyah Chi’l nooséłígíí Bąąhą́ą́nosin
Take care of our Navajo Rangelands

White top

(a.k.a. Hoary Cress, Cardaria draba)
Chil bi la t’ahłigaí
Cluster of small, white flowers
Patrick Alexander

Whitetop was introduced to North America from Europe and Asia, and is now a widespread invasive. It grows in a wide variety of habitats and can infiltrate grazing lands. Whitetop is a forb that can grow to be two feet tall. It has grayish-green leaves and clustered white flowers with four petals.

Growth habit, leaves primarily basal and midstem but also near the top of the plant. A cluster of abundant white flowers tops the plants.
Patrick Alexander
Close-up of the small white flowers, which have the characteristic crosslike, four petal arrangement common in the mustard family
Patrick Alexander
Arrangement of the leaves on the stem. A portion of the base of the leaf adheres to the stem, and leaves point upward.
Patrick Alexander
Short growth habit
Russ Kleinman
Growth habit showing dominance of flower cluster in the plant's profile
Russ Kleinman
Scientific Name
Lepidium draba
Plant Type
Forb
Growing Season
Warm Season
Habitats
  • Grasslands
  • River valleys
Flower Color
White
Other Traits
⚠
Invasive

For definitions, see the glossary.

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