Burke's Whitlow-grass
Draba burkei
Other common names: Burke's Draba
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G2
State (S-rank): S2
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
External links
General information
Draba burkei is known from Box Elder, Cache and Weber Counties, Utah where it is known only in the northern Wasatch Range. This species grows in cracks and crevices and adjacent talus and rocky areas of dolomite and limestone outcrops and is associated with the subalpine conifer plant communities. Burke's Whitlow-grass, as it is also called, has bright, conspicuous yellow flowers which bloom on top of leafless stems forming easy to see clusters of itself at high elevations.
Description
Draba burkei is known from Box Elder, Cache and Weber Counties, Utah where it is known only in the northern Wasatch Range. This species grows in cracks and crevices and adjacent talus and rocky areas of dolomite and limestone outcrops and is associated with the subalpine conifer plant communities. Burke's Whitlow-grass, as it is also called, has bright, conspicuous yellow flowers which bloom on top of leafless stems forming easy to see clusters of itself at high elevations.
Phenology
Flowers from May to June
Diagnostic characteristics
Draba burkei leaves are sparingly pubescent or merely ciliate with simple hairs and is distinguished with this character from Draba maguieri which has forked or 4 rayed trichomes on the leaves.
Species range
Endemic to the northern Wasatch Range in Box Elder, Cache, and Weber counties, Utah.
Threats or limiting factors
Invasive plant species threats are minor, but include Isatis tinctoria and Melilotus officianalis (Utah Natural Heritage Program, 2021). The only observable threats may be from hikers, or trails, but because this plant is so abundant in the area it most likely is not an issue. No significant herbivory was observed. The USU Logan Canyon Climbing Management Plan for the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Logan Ranger District (2017) specifically addressed management in relation to climbing and increasing public awareness as well as outreach to climbing community has greatly reduced the threat to this species in regards to climbing.
Taxonomy
No, this species does not have taxonomic discrepancies