Boechera depauperata

Perennials; usually long-lived; (cespitose); apomictic; caudex woody. Stems usually 1 per caudex branch, arising from center of rosette near ground surface, 0.5–1.5(–2) dm, densely pubescent proximally, trichomes short-stalked, 4–8-rayed, 0.07–0.4 mm, usually sparsely pubescent distally, rarely glabrous. Basal leaves: blade narrowly oblanceolate, 0.7–3(–5) mm wide, margins entire, sometimes ciliate proximally, trichomes to 0.4 mm, surfaces densely pubescent, trichomes short-stalked, 5–8-rayed, 0.05–0.25 mm. Cauline leaves: 3–7, not concealing stem; blade auricles 0.5–1.5 mm, surfaces of distalmost leaves usually pubescent, rarely glabrous. Racemes 9–23-flowered, unbranched. Fruiting pedicels divaricate-ascending, straight, 1.5–7 mm, usually pubescent, rarely glabrous, trichomes appressed, branched. Flowers ascending at anthesis; sepals pubescent; petals lavender to purplish, 3.5–5 × 0.8–1.2 mm, glabrous; pollen spheroid. Fruits divaricate-ascending, not appressed to rachis, not secund, straight, edges parallel, 1.7–3.5(–4.5) cm × 1–1.5 mm; valves glabrous; ovules 32–44 per ovary; style 0.05–0.2 mm. Seeds uniseriate, 1.2–1.5 × 1–1.2 mm; wing continuous, 0.1–0.15 mm wide.

Phenology: Flowering Jun–Jul.
Habitat: Exposed ridges and talus slopes in subalpine and alpine habitats
Elevation: 2700-3900 m

Calif., Nev.

Discussion

Morphological evidence suggests that Boechera depauperata is an apomictic species that arose through hybridization between B. lemmonii and B. paupercula (see M. D. Windham and I. A. Al-Shehbaz 2007 for detailed comparison). It is known in California from Fresno, Mono, and Tulare counties and in Nevada from Washoe County.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa