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Photo by Blake Wellard; Blake Wellard; Blake Wellard; Blake Willard; Blake Wellard
UNHP; UNHP; UNHP; UNHP; UNHP
Kodachrome Bladderpod
Physaria tumulosa
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G3
State (S-rank): S3
External links
General information
Physaria tumulosa is known from barren white knolls in sagebrush and pinyon pine communities in Kane County, Utah. Kodachrome bladderpod forms dense, low growing mats which fill with many small bright yellow flowers in spring when it is in full bloom.
Phenology
Flowers from May to early June.
Diagnostic characteristics
Physaria tumulosa has previously been regarded as a variety of Physaria rubicundula which is also a rare species known from the Bryce canyon area. They are very similar plants, and P. tumulosa differs primarily in having shorter styles measuring 1.5-2.8 mm long while P. rubicundula has much longer styles measuring 2.8-5.5 mm long. P. tumulosa also has a many-branched caudex in comparison to P. rubucundula.
These very similar species are further separated by their specific habitat, Physaria tumulosa is known from White Cliffs which are composed of Carmel Formation in Kane County while Physaria rubicundula grows on Claron formation in Garfield, Iron, and Kane Counties.
Additionally, P. tumulosa bears a strong resemblance to P. navajoensis, a species which occurs in New Mexico and Arizona, but their ranges do not overlap.
Species range
Endemic to Kane County, Utah, where it is known from only a handful of occurences on the White Cliffs composed of the Carmel formation.
Threats or limiting factors
Although three populations of Kodachrome bladderpod are now known, the inheriently small distribution (Kane County, Utah) and population size may increase the species’ vulnerability to threats (USFWS 2021). This species is mainly threatened by loss of individuals and habitat destruction caused by recreation, mineral development, grazing and climate change (USFWS 2021). The more recently discovered populations are fairly remote and not affected by recreation. No Man's Mesa population is also probably not impacted by grazing. The potential effects of climate change and drought to the species have not been evaluated (USFWS 2021).
