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

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

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

None.