Thysanocarpus is a small genus of annual herbs in the mustard family (Brassicaceae), order Brassicales. Commonly known as fringepods or lacepods, these plants are native to the western United States, British Columbia, and northwestern Mexico.
Plants in the genus are small, erect annuals. Their most distinctive feature is the fruit: a flat capsule that is generally round or oval in outline, encircled by a wing that runs all the way around the pod and gives it a distinctly fringed or lacy appearance. The fruits hang along most of the length of the flowering stem.
Recognized species include Thysanocarpus curvipes (sand fringepod), Thysanocarpus laciniatus (mountain fringepod), and Thysanocarpus radians (ribbed fringepod).
Etymology
The genus name Thysanocarpus derives from the Greek thysanos (fringe or tassel) and karpos (fruit), a direct reference to the distinctive fringed wing that encircles each seed pod. This feature also gives rise to the common names fringepod and lacepod.
Distribution
Thysanocarpus is native to the western United States, British Columbia (Canada), and northwestern Mexico. The genus is a characteristic component of western North American flora.
