Physaria ludoviciana explained

Physaria ludoviciana is a species of flowering plant in the mustard family Brassicaceae, with the common names of bladder pod, silver bladderpod,[1] louisiana bladderpod, and foothill bladderpod.[2] It used to be Lesquerella ludoviciana which is now a synonym.[3]

Description

Physaria ludoviciana is a taprooted perennial, growing 6-16 inches tall.[4] The flowers have four sepals and four yellow petals and six stamens. The leaves are simple, narrow, and covered with stellate-pilose hairs. The basal leaves are produced in a rosette. The two loculed fruits are a globe-like silicle with dense pilose hairs. Flowering occurs in early spring to mid/late summer, and some plants are polyploids.

Distribution and habitat

It is an endangered species in Illinois and Minnesota, and a threatened species in Wisconsin.[4] In all three states this species is outside of its main range which is more western, growing in the dry plains.[5] The Minnesota populations are found around Red Wing in Goodhue County;[6] they are 500 kilometers from the species main range in the west and it is speculated it was introduction there by the long-range dispersal of a single seed or they are remnants from when the environment was drier and the species had a greater natural range.[5] The Minnesota plants are found in dry prairie on south-facing bluffs in sandy soil originating from weathered limestone; the populations are threatened by the encroachment of woody and invasive species due to human suppression of fires.[5]

Physaria ludoviciana is avoided by grazing animals.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Threatened Search Results USDA PLANTS. 2021-01-20. plants.usda.gov.
  2. Book: Gardens, Denver Botanic. Wildflowers of the Rocky Mountain Region. 2018-08-21. Timber Press. 978-1-60469-869-5. en.
  3. Web site: Physaria ludoviciana (Nutt.) O'Kane & Al-Shehbaz Plants of the World Online Kew Science. 2021-01-20. Plants of the World Online. en.
  4. Web site: Physaria ludoviciana (Bladderpod): Minnesota Wildflowers. 2021-01-20. www.minnesotawildflowers.info. en.
  5. Book: Barbara Coffin. Lee Pfannmuller. Minnesota's Endangered Flora and Fauna. 1988. U of Minnesota Press. 978-0-8166-1689-3. 106.
  6. Web site: Physaria ludoviciana : Bladderpod Rare Species Guide. 2021-01-20. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. en.