Snowbasin Rockcress
Cecelia Alexander iNaturalist observation 2008; Cecelia Alexander iNaturalist observation 2008; Cecelia Alexander iNaturalist observation 2008; Cecelia Alexander iNaturalist observation 2008
Boechera glareosa
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G1
State (S-rank): S1
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
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General information
B. glareosa is a rare forb endemic to an extremely narrow range in northeastern Utah and adjacent areas of Colorado. First described in 2003, current threats and management needs are not well understood.
Description
B. glareosa grows several 10-20 cm stems from a woody base; and stems are hairy near the base. Basal leaves grow from a short petiole and are oblanceolate to obovate, measuring 4-10 mm long and 1-4 mm wide. Leaves may have either toothed or entire margins, and are loosely covered in branching hairs. Flowers occur on unbranched racemes, with hairy sepals measuring 1.5-3 mm long and 0.6-1.2 mm wide, and lavender-white petals that measure 3-4.5 x 0.6-1.4 mm. B. glareosa produces long, straight or curved siliques that are 2.5–4 cm long and 1.2–1.5 mm wide. The valves of the fruit are hairless
Phenology
This species is limited to conglomerate rock outcrops and the gravel substrates derived from them; it occurs within pinyon-juniper and mountain shrub-conifer communities at elevations of 6,500-8,500 ft.
Diagnostic characteristics
This species is similar to both B. demissa and B. gunnisoniana, but can be distinguished in several ways. B. demissa tends to have larger basal leaves and larger/wider petals. B. gunnisoniana has hairs on the basal leaves that tend to branch 4 times, whereas the basal hairs of B. glareosa are 2-3 branched. Additionally, stems of B. glareosa tend to lack hairs above the stem leaves, whereas B. gunnisoniana stems are covered with hair entirely. It should be noted that the extreme variability of features in B. gunnisoniana can make reliable distinctions difficult.
Species range
Narrow endemic known only from Summit and Uintah counties, Utah and Moffat County, Colorado (Flora of North America 2010). Northeast Utah and northwest Colorado on the south side of Blue Mountain (Dorn 2003).
Map
Habitat
This species is limited to conglomerate rock outcrops and the gravel substrates derived from them; it occurs within pinyon-juniper and mountain shrub-conifer communities at elevations of 6,500-8,500 ft.
Taxonomy
No, this species does not have taxonomic discrepancies