Physaria valida

Perennials; caudex branched, (thickened); densely pubescent, trichomes (sessile), several-rayed, rays furcate or bifurcate, usually fused toward base, (strongly tuberculate). Stems several from base, erect or outer decumbent, (unbranched), to 2 dm. Basal leaves: blade elliptic to lanceolate or obovate, 3–8 cm, margins entire. Cauline leaves: (proximal shortly petiolate or sessile, distal sessile); blade elliptic or obovate, to 2 cm, margins entire. Racemes dense. Fruiting pedicels (divaricate-ascending to horizontal, straight to loosely curved), to 15 mm. Flowers: sepals narrowly elliptic or oblong, 4.5–5.3 mm, (tapering to the somewhat thickened, cucullate apex, lateral pair subsaccate); petals (bright yellow), lingulate or broadly obovate, 7.5–8.5 mm, (narrowing to broad claw, joining in an arch, margins lacerate). Fruits (sessile or substipitate), suborbicular to broadly ovate or ellipsoid, slightly compressed, 6–8 mm; valves pubescent; ovules 12–22 per ovary; style 2–3 mm. Seeds flattened. 2n = 10.

Phenology: Flowering Apr–May.
Habitat: Limestone soils, steep slopes, roadcuts, open woods
Elevation: 1900-2200 m

N.Mex., Tex.

Discussion

Physaria valida is known from the Sacramento and White mountains of south central New Mexico, and southward through the Guadalupe Mountains to Hudspeth County, Texas.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa