Draba platycarpa

Illustrator: Barbara Alongi

Copyright: Flora of North America Association

Annuals; scapose or subscapose. Stems often unbranched, sometimes branched proximally, (0.3–)0.5–3.2(–4) dm, densely hirsute proximally, trichomes simple, 0.9–1.5 mm, and stalked, 2–4-rayed, 0.1–0.6 mm, pubescent distally, trichomes usually branched, rarely simple ones present. Basal leaves rosulate; petiole obscure; blade obovate to spatulate or oblanceolate, 1–4.5 cm × 5–25(–30) mm, margins dentate, surfaces pubescent, abaxially with stalked, (2 or) 3 or 4-rayed trichomes, 0.1–0.6 mm, adaxially with simple, 0.7–1.3 mm, and stalked, 2–4-rayed ones, 0.1–0.5 mm. Cauline leaves (3 or) 4–8(–14); sessile; blade similar to basal. Racemes 12–45(–60)-flowered, ebracteate, elongated in fruit; rachis not flexuous, pubescent, trichomes 2–4-rayed. Fruiting pedicels horizontal to divaricate, straight, 4–9(–11) mm, pubescent as stem. Flowers: (mid- and late-season ones cleistogamous, apetalous); sepals oblong, 1.4–2.2 mm, pubescent; petals white, oblanceolate, (1.7–)2.5–3.5(–4) × 1–2 mm; anthers ovate, 0.2–0.35 mm (shorter in cleistogamous flowers). Fruits obovate-oblong to obovate, plane, flattened, 5–8.2(–9.5) × (2.4–)2.8–3.7(–4) mm; valves pubescent, trichomes simple, antrorse, 0.2–0.5 mm; ovules (28–)40–70(–82) per ovary; style 0.01–0.2 mm. Seeds ovoid, 0.5–0.7 × 0.3–0.5 mm. 2n = 16, 32.

Phenology: Flowering Feb–Mar.
Habitat: Rocky hillsides, gravelly and sandy areas, dry plains, roadsides
Elevation: 0-500 m

Distribution

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• Legacy Map

Ariz., Ark., Idaho, La., Okla., Oreg., Tex., Wash.

Discussion

Draba platycarpa is occasionally treated as a variety of D. cuneifolia, but is amply distinct from that species (R. L. Hartman et al. 1975).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.