Many terms can be used as synonyms for the genus Arabidopsis, a group of flowering plants commonly used in genetic studies. Some of these terms include rockcress, thale cress, mustard weed, and mouse-ear cress. While Arabidopsis is a relatively small genus, its simplicity and small genome have made it a popular model organism for research in plant biology. Studies of Arabidopsis have contributed to discoveries in genetics, development, metabolism, and stress responses, among other areas of research. As such, understanding the various synonyms for this important genus is important for anyone working in the field of plant science.