Arabis

Arabis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, commonly known as rockcresses. The genus comprises several dozen species of herbaceous perennials and biennials native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with strong representation in Europe and Asia. Plants are typically low-growing, forming rosettes or small clumps, and produce slender flowering stems bearing clusters of small four-petaled flowers in spring.

Flowers are usually white or pale pink, though some species show deeper pink or purple tones. Leaves are alternate, often with toothed or lobed margins; basal leaves may form a dense rosette. The fruit is a slender pod (silique) containing numerous seeds.

Habitat and cultivation: Arabis species favor well-drained soils and full sun to light shade. They occur in rocky slopes, alpine meadows, and open areas. In gardens, they are valued for early-season bloom and their compact to mound-forming habit. They are hardy and drought-tolerant once established, and are commonly propagated by seed or division.

Notable species include Arabis caucasica (Caucasian rockcress), grown as a border or rock-garden perennial, and Arabis alpina (alpine rockcress), which tolerates alpine conditions. The taxonomy of Arabis has undergone revisions, with some species moved to related genera, so species counts vary by source.