About Phoenicaulis cheiranthoides Nutt.
This plant, which has the common name daggerpod, is a perennial herb. It grows one or more stems from a caudex, reaching heights of 25 to 30 centimetres, or 9+7⁄8 to 11+3⁄4 inches. Its basal leaves range from narrowly lance-shaped to teardrop-shaped, are up to 10 cm long, and have a woolly texture. Leaves located higher on the stem are shorter and typically less hairy. The inflorescence is a raceme of flowers with purple or pink petals that measure up to around 1.5 cm long. The fruits are narrow, hairless siliques that grow up to 9 cm long, project out from the stem on pedicels, and are shaped like a dagger, which gives the species its common name. This plant grows across many habitat types, most commonly rocky areas. Its documented habitats include sagebrush scrub, scree, exposed volcanic and clay slopes, rock outcrops, hills, banks, and meadows. In the southern portion of its range, it also grows in the alpine climate of high mountains. It occurs at elevations up to 3200 meters and blooms early in spring.
