Boechera rectissima

Illustrator: Barbara Alongi

Copyright: Flora of North America Association

Biennials or perennials; short-lived; sexual; caudex present or absent. Stems usually 1 per caudex branch, arising from center of rosette near ground surface, 2–8(–10) dm, usually glabrous proximally, rarely sparsely pubescent, trichomes simple, to 0.7 mm, glabrous distally. Basal leaves: blade oblanceolate, 3–8(–13) mm wide, margins entire or denticulate, ciliate, trichomes (simple), 0.5–1.2 mm, surfaces sparsely to densely pubescent, trichomes simple, to 0.8 mm, often mixed with short-stalked, 2- or 3-rayed ones, 0.15–0.5 mm. Cauline leaves: 6–30(–45), often concealing stem proximally; blade auricles 1–1.5 mm, surfaces of distalmost leaves sparsely pubescent, sometimes margins ciliate. Racemes 10–30(–50)-flowered, usually unbranched. Fruiting pedicels reflexed, abruptly recurved at base, otherwise straight, 4–10 mm, glabrous. Flowers pendent at anthesis; sepals pubescent; petals white, 3–4 × 0.7–1.2 mm, glabrous; pollen ellipsoid. Fruits strongly reflexed, usually appressed to rachis, not secund, straight, edges parallel, 5–9 cm × 1.8–2.5 mm; valves glabrous; ovules 46–80 per ovary; style 0.2–0.8 mm. Seeds uniseriate, 1.8–2.1 × 1–1.5 mm; wing continuous, 0.15–0.25 mm wide.

Phenology: Flowering May–Jul.
Habitat: Rocky slopes in open conifer forests
Elevation: 1500-2500 m

Distribution

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Calif., Oreg.

Discussion

Boechera rectissima is easily recognized by its combination of glabrous stems, basal leaves with large, predominantly simple trichomes, short (3–4 mm), white petals, and strongly reflexed, appressed fruits. Plants assigned to var. simulans appear to be hybrids between this species and B. retrofracta.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.