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Wormseed Wallflower Erysimum cheiranthoides

Phonetic Spelling
er-RIS-ih-mum kair-anth-OY-dees
Description

Wormseed Wallflower is an annual or biennial in the mustard family.  Its common name refers to its former use as an anthelmintic, a remedy to expel worms from the digestive tract.  

It differs from other species in the mustard family as it does not have the lobes and teeth that the other species are present.  Its narrow leaves also set them aside from the mustard family.  

It is frequented by bees, flies and beetles, while other wildlife find the seeds and foliage quite bitter to the taste.  However, if there is a limited food source, other wildlife may use this plant as a last resort.

The upper half of the plant has few to no branches while numerous leaves form along the entire stem.  The leaves are narrow, and the base tapers to a short petiole.  

Its flowers take the form of a raceme at the very top of the stem.  The yellow flowers have 4 petals, 4 light green sepals, 6 stamens and a pistil.  The tiny flowers can be hidden by the seedpods.  Blooming from late spring into the later part of the summer, a colony can be in bloom for up to 2 months.  

It prefers a fertile loamy soil and full sun to perform at its best, however, will also flourish in sandy or clay based soil.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  It can be quite weedy especially in disturbed areas such as pastures, roadsides, along railroad tracks and other waste areas.  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#frost tender#self-seeding#disturbed areas#poor soils tolerant#fly friendly#beetle friendly#bee friendly#problem for horses#weed#acidic soils intolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#frost tender#self-seeding#disturbed areas#poor soils tolerant#fly friendly#beetle friendly#bee friendly#problem for horses#weed#acidic soils intolerant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Erysimum
    Species:
    cheiranthoides
    Family:
    Brassicaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Wildflower
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Biennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe, Japan
    Wildlife Value:
    Bees, beetles, and flies frequent are frequent visitors.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Easy to Grow
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    Ascending
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Siliqua
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is a slender pod that contains a single row of seeds. The pod will split open when ripe.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are formed as rounded clusters of 1/2", 4 petaled yellow flowers bloom in the summer at the top of the plant and the tips of the stems. Each flower will have 6 stamens, of which 2 are shorter than the other 4.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves have little or no stalk. The surface of the leaves have tiny star-shaped hairs. The leaves become smaller as they ascend the stem. The basal leaves will wither as the plant flowers.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Angular
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    The ribbed stems will elongate as the plant matures. The flowers form at the top of the stems, while its fruits will form below.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Poor Soil
    Problems:
    Problem for Horses
    Weedy