Draba graminea

Perennials; (cespitose); caudex simple or branched (with persistent leaf bases); not scapose. Stems unbranched, 0.1–0.5(–0.8) dm, usually pubescent throughout, rarely glabrous, trichomes simple or subsessile, 2-rayed or spurred, (crisped), 0.1–0.5 mm. Basal leaves rosulate; petiolate; petiole ciliate, (trichomes usually straight and simple, rarely also 2-rayed, 0.2–0.6(–0.8) mm); blade linear to linear-oblanceolate, (0.5–)1–4 cm × 0.3–2(–3) mm, margins entire (pubescent as petiole), surfaces glabrous. Cauline leaves (1–)3–9(–12) (as bracts); sessile; blade linear to oblanceolate or lanceolate, margins entire, (ciliate proximally, similar to basal). Racemes 3–15-flowered, bracteate, elongated in fruit; rachis not flexuous, usually pubescent as stem, rarely glabrous. Fruiting pedicels divaricate-ascending, usually straight, rarely curved upward, 3–10(–15) mm, usually pubescent as stem, rarely glabrous. Flowers: sepals ovate, 1.5–2.5 mm, glabrous or pubescent, (trichomes simple and short-stalked, 2-rayed); petals yellow, spatulate to obovate, 3–5 × 1.5–3 mm; anthers ovate, 0.3–0.5 mm. Fruits ovate-elliptic to lanceolate, slightly twisted or plane, flattened, 5–11 × 2.5–5 mm; valves glabrous; ovules 8–16 per ovary; style 0.2–0.7 mm. Seeds ovoid, 1.2–1.5 × 0.7–1 mm. 2n = 18.

Phenology: Flowering Jul–Sep.
Habitat: Rocky areas and ridges, alpine tundra, gravel bars in streams
Elevation: 3000-4100 m

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Colo.

Discussion

Of conservation concern.

Draba graminea is occasionally confused with D. crassa, which occupies similar habitats and elevations. It is easily distinguished from the latter by having narrower [0.3–2(–3) versus 2.5–8(–10) mm wide] basal leaves and bracteate (versus ebracteate) racemes. It is known to us only from Hinsdale, La Plata, Ouray, San Juan, and San Miguel counties.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.