Hesperis matronalis
 
Dame's-Rocket

Stamens and Pistil

Nicolle Flats, North of Moose Jaw in Qu'Appelle Valley
16-June-2012

The sepals and petals have been removed from this flower to reveal the stamens and pistil.  The stamens have been spread out somewhat.  Note there are two short, outer stamens and four long, inner stamens.  The stamens are thus known as tetradynamous.  This is characteristic of the Cruciferae family.

Hesperis: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora and Flora of Alberta leading to this genus. 

plants 5-15 dm tall

leaves spreading

leaves 5-20 cm long

leaves lanceolate

leaves not auriculate and clasping

leaves entire to more or less deeply toothed; NOT [leaves deeply lobed to dissected] (BF)

leaves more or less entire; NOT [leaves deeply serrate to pinnate] (FOA)

flowers 20-25 mm across; NOT [flowers much smaller]

flowers pink or purple; NOT [flowers white or tinged with pink], NOT [petals yellow]

pods 4-10 cm long

pods usually at least 4 times as long as wide; NOT [pods usually not more than 3 times as long as wide]

pods not compressed at right angles to the central partition

pods scarcely beaked; NOT [pods with a long, distinct beak]

pods slightly torulose

 

Cruciferae: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora leading to this family. 

herbs; NOT [shrubs or trees]

plants terrestrial or semiaquatic; NOT [plants aquatic, leaves submerged or floating]

plants not with colored milky juice

plants with more than one normal leaf

some or all leaves alternate; NOT [leaves opposite, whorled, or basal]

leaves without stipules, or having glands; NOT [leaves with stipules]

flowers with two floral rings

calyx regular; NOT [calyx irregular, some sepals smaller than others]

sepals 4

corolla regular in shape NOT [corolla irregular in shape]

each petal distinct from the others

petals 4; NOT [petals 5]

stamens usually 6, four long and two short; NOT [stamens 6, of equal length], NOT [stamens usually more than 10]

carpels 1 or 2; NOT [carpels 3-5]

ovary superior; NOT [ovary inferior]