Arabis L.

Cruciferae, Bengt Jonsell (University of Stockholm). Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1982

Morphology General Habit

Annual, biennial or perennial small to medium-sized herbs, with a taproot and often unbranched or little branched stems

Morphology General Indumentum

Hairs usually present, very often stellate or otherwise branched, also simple

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Racemes terminal, ebracteate, ± corymbose, mostly with small flowers, in fruit cylindrical and elongate, dense to lax

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals not spreading, the lateral ones sometimes saccate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals white, cream, pale blue or violet, spathulate to clawed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens with linear filaments

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Nectaries

Nectaries usually as prominent glands outside and ± around the lateral stamens, and as a smaller simple or bifid gland outside each pair of median stamens

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary narrowly cylindrical, usually with a very short style and flat stigma; ovules numerous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit a siliqua, dehiscent, linear, flattened; valves thin with a fine midnerve

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds uniseriate, ovoid, finely reticulate, not mucilaginous.