Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Physaria fendleri (A. Gray) O'Kane & Al-Shehbaz
(Fendler Bladderpod)

Family: Brassicaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Lesquerella fendleri (Gray) S. Watson
Lesquerella praecox Wooton & Standley
Lesquerella stenophylla (Gray) Rydberg
Vesicaria fendleri Gray

Physaria fendleri is a prostate to ascending grayish perennial green herb with bright yellow flowers. Early in the spring, it can be seen flowering over a basal rosette, but later in the season it is considerably more upright. The nearly spherical fruits, some with an obsolete style still attached, make this an easy plant to identify in the field. The fruiting pedicels are mostly short and straight. It is found in creekbeds and canyons at middle elevation. Physaria gordonii var. gordonii is a similar species but it is an annual and its fruiting pedicels become sigmoid with maturity.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Physaria fendleri, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., CF Canyon, May 2, 2007



Physaria fendleri, closeup of flower, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Saddlerock Canyon, March 22, 2009



Physaria fendleri, perennial growth habit, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City, Ridge Road, April 16, 2009



Physaria fendleri, closeup of fruit, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City, Ridge Road, April 16, 2009



Physaria fendleri, flowering early over basal rosette, photo Russ Kleinman, Acklin Hill, Mimbres Valley, February 15, 2010



Physaria fendleri, flowering raceme, photo Russ Kleinman, Acklin Hill, Mimbres Valley, February 15, 2010


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