Physaria arctica explained

Physaria arctica is a perennial flowering herb in the family Brassicaceae, known by the common name arctic bladderpod.[1]

Description

Plants are 6–12 cm high[2] with a short taproot and woody stem-base. Basal leaves, 2–6 cm and arranged in a rosette[3] predominate, and are obovate to oblanceolate, while cauline leaves, sessile or shortly petiolate, are oblanceolate or lingulate and 0.5-1.5 cm.[4] Inflorescences are loosely racemose, with flower stalks ascending or erect and 5–20 mm. There are 3-8 radially symmetrical flowers per inflorescence, and the petals are spaulate, 5-6mm, with blades that narrow gradually to the claw.

Habitat

Physaria arctica grows in sand and gravel from calcareous bedrock, river bars and terraces, cliff ledges, scree and talus slopes.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Physaria arctica (Wormsk. ex Hornem.) O'Kane & Al-Shehbaz. Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). 17 June 2016.
  2. Web site: Aiken. S.G.. etal. Flora of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago: Lesquerella arctica (Wormskjold. ex Hornem.) S. Watson. Canadian Museum of Nature. Canadian Museum of Nature. 17 June 2016.
  3. Book: Douglas. G.W. . D.V. Meidinger . J. Pojar. Illustrated Flora of British Columbia. Volume 4: Dicotyledons (Orobanchaceae Through Rubiaceae). 1999. B.C. Ministry of Environment, Lands & Parks and B.C. Ministry of Forests. Victoria.
  4. Web site: Physaria arctica. Flora of North America. 17 June 2016.