Ostler Peppergrass
Lepidium ostleri
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G1
State (S-rank): S1
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
External links
General information
Lepidium ostleri is known from Beaver County where it grows in the Utah Great Basin. This species is only found in the San Francisco Mountains where is found in the pinyon-juniper community and grows in crevices of limestone outcrops. Ostler peppergrass is a dwarfed plant with tiny white inconspicuous flowers. This plant is an intermediate species between Lepidium nanum and Lepdium montanum var. montanum known just west of Lepidium ostleri.
This species is often associated with Eriogonum soredium, also known as Frisco Buckwheat.
Description
Lepidium ostleri is known from Beaver County where it grows in the Utah Great Basin. This species is only found in the San Francisco Mountains where is found in the pinyon-juniper community and grows in crevices of limestone outcrops. Ostler peppergrass is a dwarfed plant with tiny white inconspicuous flowers. This plant is an intermediate species between Lepidium nanum and Lepdium montanum var. montanum known just west of Lepidium ostleri.
This species is often associated with Eriogonum soredium, also known as Frisco Buckwheat.
Phenology
Flowers May to June, fruiting June to July.
Diagnostic characteristics
Lepidium ostleri is similar to some phases of L. montanum. It can be differentiated by being pulvinate-caespitose, 1-5 cm tall, and caudex branches with marcescent leaf bases. This species has grayish, puberulent, and typically 3- to 5- lobed leaves. It is often found with Eriogonum soredium.
Species range
Endemic to the San Francisco Mountains, Beaver County, Utah (Holmgren et al. 2005).
Threats or limiting factors
Habitat is under mining claim. Potentially threatened by gold and silver mining (Kass 1992 cited by Franklin 2005).
Taxonomy
No, this species does not have taxonomic discrepancies