Bloomipedia
Dame's rocket (Hesperis matronalis)
Photo: Nick Kleinschmidt via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Dame's rocket

Hesperis matronalis

Dame's rocket (Hesperis matronalis) is a flowering plant in the Brassicaceae family, introduced in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly May–June across the U.S.

Introduced in the lower 48

Dame's rocket is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 24 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in May–June.

41states where USDA records it
24Bloomipedia state lists include it
57,064U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin

🚫
Regulated invasive plant in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Indiana, Connecticut, Maine and New Hampshire. It's on those states' official invasive plant lists (Wisconsin: Restricted invasive species; Massachusetts: Prohibited plant (sale, import and propagation banned); Indiana: Prohibited invasive plant (no sale, gifting or planting); Connecticut: Prohibited invasive plant (some listings take effect on later dates; see the statute); Maine: Do Not Sell invasive plant (illegal to sell or import); New Hampshire: Prohibited invasive plant). Please don't plant or share it there. NR 40 MA Prohibited Plant List 312 IAC 18-3-25 CGS § 22a-381d Maine Do Not Sell list NH Agr 3800

Quick look

Hesperis matronalis is an herbaceous flowering plant species in the family Brassicaceae. It has numerous common names, including dame's rocket, damask-violet, dame's-violet, dames-wort, dame's gilliflower, night-scented gilliflower, queen's gilliflower, rogue's gilliflower, sweet rocket, and mother-of-the-evening.

  • It belongs to the Brassicaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a biennial, perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 41 states. USDA PLANTS
  • In Pennsylvania, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. iNaturalist
  • In New York, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as purple. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as spring. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 4.5 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 9,244 research-grade sightings of it in Pennsylvania, ranking #8 among the 190 flowers on our Pennsylvania list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 6,126 research-grade sightings of it in New York, ranking #27 among the 193 flowers on our New York list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 6,061 research-grade sightings of it in Ohio, ranking #18 among the 186 flowers on our Ohio list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (7,096 records)
Bloom time in the 24 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
PennsylvaniaIntroducedMay–June9,244
New YorkIntroducedMay–June6,126
OhioIntroducedMay–June6,061
WisconsinIntroducedMay–June4,704
MichiganIntroducedMay–June4,592
IllinoisIntroducedMay–June3,500
MinnesotaIntroducedMay–June2,880
MassachusettsIntroducedMay–June1,856
MarylandIntroducedApril–June1,616
VirginiaIntroducedApril–May1,606
VermontIntroducedMay–June1,560
New JerseyIntroducedMay–June1,501
IndianaIntroducedMay–June1,223
ConnecticutIntroducedMay–June934
IowaIntroducedMay–June825
MaineIntroducedMay–July735
South DakotaIntroducedMay–June675
NebraskaIntroducedMay–June570
West VirginiaIntroducedApril–June570
MontanaIntroducedfew records (36)450
New HampshireIntroducedMay–June443
KansasIntroducedfew records (40)364
North DakotaIntroducedMay–July252
DelawareIntroducedfew records (20)191

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G4 Apparently secure worldwide. NatureServe
State rare plant lists
Not listed Not on the official rare plant list in 18 of our 24 states.
See each state
Pennsylvania
Not listed Not on Pennsylvania classified native plants (17 Pa. Code Ch. 45, Subchapter B, as amended 2023). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Pennsylvania. 17 Pa. Code Ch. 45
New York
Not listed Not on New York protected native plants (6 NYCRR § 193.3). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in New York. 6 NYCRR § 193.3
Ohio
Not listed Not on Ohio endangered and threatened plants (Ohio Adm. Code 1501:18-1-03, eff. Dec. 26, 2024). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Ohio. OAC 1501:18-1-03
Wisconsin
Not listed Not on Wisconsin endangered and threatened species list (Wis. Admin. Code NR 27.03). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Wisconsin. NR 27.03
Michigan
Not listed Not on Michigan endangered and threatened plants (Mich. Admin. Code R 299.1028, eff. March 20, 2023). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Michigan. R 299.1028
Illinois
Not listed Not on Illinois List of Endangered and Threatened Flora (17 Ill. Adm. Code 1050), per the Endangered Species Protection Board's 2025 checklist. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Illinois. IL E&T checklist 2025
Minnesota
Not listed Not on Minnesota endangered, threatened and special concern plants (Minn. R. 6134.0300). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Minnesota. Minn. R. 6134.0300
Massachusetts
Not listed Not on Massachusetts Endangered Species Act list (321 CMR 10.90). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Massachusetts. MESA list
Maryland
Not listed Not on Maryland threatened and endangered plants (COMAR 08.03.08.05, .06 and .08). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Maryland. COMAR 08.03.08
Virginia
Not listed Not on Virginia endangered and threatened plant and insect species (2VAC5-320-10). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Virginia. 2VAC5-320-10
Vermont
Not listed Not on Endangered and Threatened Plants of Vermont (10 V.S.A. chap. 123; list of Feb 10, 2022). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Vermont. Vermont E&T list
New Jersey
Not listed Not on New Jersey Endangered Plant Species List (N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in New Jersey. N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1
Connecticut
Not listed Not on Connecticut Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Plants (RCSA 26-306; 2015 list). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Connecticut. CT E/T/SC list
Iowa
Not listed Not on Iowa endangered, threatened and special concern plants (Iowa Admin. Code r. 571-77.3). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Iowa. IAC 571-77.3
Maine
Not listed Not on Maine Rare Plant List (Maine Natural Areas Program, 2021). E and T are Maine's official endangered and threatened plants (12 M.R.S.); SC and PE are tracking categories. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Maine. Maine rare plant list
Nebraska
Not listed Not on Nebraska threatened and endangered species (163 Neb. Admin. Code ch. 4, § 004). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Nebraska. 163 NAC 4-004
New Hampshire
Not listed Not on New Hampshire Official Rare Plants List (Ncr 312, eff. Jan 1, 2020). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in New Hampshire. NH Ncr 312
Delaware
Not listed Not on Rare and Uncommon Plants of Delaware (DNREC, 2024; informational, Delaware has no state plant-protection list). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Delaware. DE rare plants 2024
Indiana
No list Indiana has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the DNR keeps a rare plant list, but it isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Indiana ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Indiana.
South Dakota
No list South Dakota's endangered and threatened list (ARSD 41:10:02) covers animals only, so we show NatureServe's South Dakota ranks for plants. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in South Dakota.
West Virginia
No list West Virginia has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (only federally listed species are protected), so we show NatureServe's West Virginia ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in West Virginia.
Montana
No list Montana has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Montana ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Montana.
Kansas
No list Kansas's endangered and threatened list (K.A.R. 115-15-1) covers animals only, so we show NatureServe's Kansas ranks for plants. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Kansas.
North Dakota
No list North Dakota has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's North Dakota ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in North Dakota.
Rare elsewhere
No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleEdible (per NC State Extension)

NC State Extension notes: “Young leaves are high in vitamin C and can be eaten in salads and have a slightly bitter taste. Seeds can be sprouted and also eaten in salads.” NC State Extension

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records Dame's rocket in 41 states plus Washington, D.C.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming; District of Columbia.

Pennsylvania counties with USDA records: Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Bradford, Bucks, Butler, Cameron, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Crawford, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, McKean, Mifflin, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Pike, Potter, Snyder, Somerset, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Venango, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Westmoreland, Wyoming, York.

New York counties with USDA records: Albany, Bronx, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Erie, Hamilton, Herkimer, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Nassau, New York, Onondaga, Orange, Orleans, Otsego, Putnam, Queens, Rensselaer, Richmond, Rockland, Schenectady, St. Lawrence, Suffolk, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins, Ulster, Washington, Westchester, Yates.

Ohio counties with USDA records: Adams, Ashland, Ashtabula, Athens, Belmont, Butler, Columbiana, Coshocton, Crawford, Cuyahoga, Defiance, Delaware, Erie, Fairfield, Franklin, Geauga, Hamilton, Harrison, Highland, Holmes, Jefferson, Knox, Lake, Lawrence, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Montgomery, Morgan, Muskingum, Ottawa, Perry, Portage, Preble, Richland, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, Van Wert, Washington, Wayne, Wood.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Dame's rocket a medium shade tolerance, medium drought tolerance and medium moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 5.0 to 7.0 and winter lows down to -23 °F.

Shade tolerance
Medium
Drought tolerance
Medium
Moisture use
Medium
Soil textures it is adapted to
medium
Soil pH range
5.0 to 7.0
Minimum temperature tolerated
-23 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum)
120
Annual precipitation range
32 to 60 inches
Minimum root depth
12 inches
Salinity tolerance
None
Fertility requirement
Medium
Growth rate
Rapid
Lifespan
Short
Active growth period
Spring and Summer
Fruit or seed
Brown · Summer to Fall
Can be propagated by
container, seed
Commercial availability
No Known Source

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for HEMA3. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Alaska: Introduced; Canada: Introduced; Lower 48 states: Introduced.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 654 counties across 38 states; the most are in Pennsylvania (61), Virginia (45), Ohio (43).

More from the Brassicaceae family (24 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Garlic mustard, Cut-leaved toothwort, Wild radish, Milkmaids, Annual honesty, Western wallflower, Hoary alyssum, European searocket.

More Pennsylvania flowers

Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata)

Garlic mustard

Alliaria petiolata

Introduced

🌼 Blooms in PA: April–May
Cut-leaved toothwort (Cardamine concatenata)

Cut-leaved toothwort

Cardamine concatenata

Native

🌼 Blooms in PA: March–April
Narrow-leaved bittercress (Cardamine impatiens)

Narrow-leaved bittercress

Cardamine impatiens

Introduced

🌼 Blooms in PA: May

Sources