Hesperis matronalis L.
Dame’s rocket, dame’s violet, mother of the evening, dames rocket
Kingdom Plantae Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom Tracheobionta Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division Magnoliophyta Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class Magnoliopsida Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass Rosidae Roses, legumes, proteas, dogwoods, hydrangeas, mistletoes, euphorbias, grapes, many more
Order Brassicales Mustard, cabbage, caper, papaya, nasturtiums, many others; most produce mustard oil
Family Brassicaceae Mustards, cabbages
Genus Hesperis From the Greek for “evening,” because flowers are fragrant in the evening
Species matronalis From Latin meaning “favored by matrons,” as these became favorites of socialite women
About plant names...
Members of the mustard family, dame's rocket is native to Eurasia, and naturalized in North
America. "Dame's" is because they were favorites among women (these plants were introduced to North America
for gardens); "rocket" for their fast spring growth. The fast-spreading plants are considered invasives
in many areas.
Identification: These plants typically have a two-year
life cycle, though some persist for more than two years. In the first year, dame's rocket doesn't
flower—it is just a mound of inconspicuous foliage. In the second year, plants reach up to 4′ (1.2 m),
composed of many hairy stems topped with groups of purple flowers. Flowers may also be lavender,
pink, or white. Flowers are ¾-1″ (1.9-2.5 cm) in
diameter, and have 4 petals and a clove-like scent.
It has alternate heart-shaped leaves,
up to 4½″ (12 cm) long and 1½″ (4 cm) wide, with rounded serrations. Fruits are long, thin,
upright pods, like anorexic beans. Some phlox varieties look similar, but their flowers have 5 petals instead
of 4.
Online References:
Missouriplants.com
Discover Life
The Virginia Tech Weed Identification Guide
The Connecticut Botanical Society's Connecticut wildflowers site
Wikipedia
Dnr.wisconsin.gov
The Missouri Botanical Garden
4/24/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)
5/27/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 1 × 2′ (41 × 62 cm)
5/13/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (11 × 17 cm)
5/7/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 17 × 12″ (44 × 29 cm) ID is uncertain
6/3/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pe
5/16/2014 · Acton Arboretum, Action, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 10″ (16 × 25 cm)
6/13/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Groton, Massachusetts
6/9/2016 · Monhegan Island, Maine
4/24/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)
Hesperis matronalis description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.
© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.
6/14/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm)
4/29/2010 · Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, Chelmsford, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 11″ (18 × 27 cm)
6/13/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Groton, Massachusetts
5/14/2013 · Beaver Brook Assn Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 6 × 9″ (16 × 23 cm)
5/28/2017 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Wildflower Trail, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (12 × 18 cm)
4/23/2010 · Nashua Rail Trail, Ayer, Massachusetts · ≈ 12 × 17″ (29 × 44 cm)
Variegated. A cultivar? · 5/26/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 11″ (18 × 27 cm)
6/5/2013 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)
5/13/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 11″ (18 × 27 cm)
6/3/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pe
5/28/2017 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Wildflower Trail, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 14 cm)
Range: Zones 3-9:
About this map...
Home   
Species