whitlow grass

plant genus

Also known as: Draba

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Article History

milky whitlow grass

See all media

Category: Animals & Nature

Related Topics:: Brassicaceae; Draba norvegica; yellow whitlow grass; twisted whitlow grass; common whitlow grass

See all related content →

whitlow grass, (genus Draba), genus of more than 300 species of plants in the mustard family (Brassicaceae). They are distributed primarily throughout the New World, especially in the northern temperate region and mountainous areas, though some species (formerly of the genus Erophila) are native to Europe. Whitlow grasses usually bloom in the spring and bear small white or yellow flowers with four petals. Despite their name, the plants are not true grasses. The European common whitlow grass (Draba verna) is a low annual with small rosettes of narrow leaves, clusters of white flowers at the ends of leafless stems, and ...(100 of 159 words)

Access the full article

Help support true facts by becoming a member.