Physaria ludoviciana is a species of flowering plant in the mustard family Brassicaceae, with the common names of bladder pod, silver bladderpod,[3] louisiana bladderpod, and foothill bladderpod.[4] It used to be Lesquerella ludoviciana which is now a synonym.[2]

Physaria ludoviciana

Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Brassicales
Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Physaria
Species:
P. ludoviciana
Binomial name
Physaria ludoviciana
(Nutt.) O'Kane & Al-Shehbaz
Synonyms[2]
List
    • Alyssum ludovicianum Nutt.
    • Lesquerella ludoviciana (Nutt.) S.Watson
    • Myagrum argenteum Pursh
    • Vesicaria ludoviciana (Nutt.) DC.

Description edit

 
Physaria ludoviciana habit.

Physaria ludoviciana is a taprooted perennial, growing 6-16 inches tall.[5] The flowers have four sepals and four yellow petals and six stamens.[6] 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.[6] Flowering occurs in early spring to mid/late summer, and some plants are polyploids.[7]

Distribution and habitat edit

It is an endangered species in Illinois and Minnesota, and a threatened species in Wisconsin.[5] In all three states this species is outside of its main range which is more western, growing in the dry plains.[6] The Minnesota populations are found around Red Wing in Goodhue County;[7] 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.[6] 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.[6]

Physaria ludoviciana is avoided by grazing animals.[7]

References edit

  1. ^ NatureServe (2023). "Physaria ludoviciana". Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Physaria ludoviciana (Nutt.) O'Kane & Al-Shehbaz | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  3. ^ "Threatened Search Results | USDA PLANTS". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  4. ^ Gardens, Denver Botanic (2018-08-21). Wildflowers of the Rocky Mountain Region. Timber Press. ISBN 978-1-60469-869-5.
  5. ^ a b "Physaria ludoviciana (Bladderpod): Minnesota Wildflowers". www.minnesotawildflowers.info. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  6. ^ a b c d e Barbara Coffin; Lee Pfannmuller (1988). Minnesota's Endangered Flora and Fauna. U of Minnesota Press. p. 106. ISBN 978-0-8166-1689-3.
  7. ^ a b c "Physaria ludoviciana : Bladderpod | Rare Species Guide". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2021-01-20.