A small kind of rock cress, Arabis petraea, which has white or purplish flowers and is found on rocks and screes, usually alpine, in central and northern Europe (including Great Britain).
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in George Bentham (1800–1884), botanist.
Definition of northern rock cress in US English:
northern rock cress
noun
A small kind of rock cress, Arabis petraea, which has white or purplish flowers and is found on rocks and screes, usually alpine, in central and northern Europe (including Great Britain).
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in George Bentham (1800–1884), botanist.