Streptanthus batrachopus

Streptanthus batrachopus is a rare species of flowering plant in the mustard family known by the common name Mt. Tamalpais jewelflower.[1] It is endemic to Marin County, California, where it is known only from Mt. Tamalpais and surrounding terrain. There are fewer than ten known occurrences.[2]

Streptanthus batrachopus

Critically Imperiled  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Brassicales
Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Streptanthus
Species:
S. batrachopus
Binomial name
Streptanthus batrachopus
J.L.Morrison

Its habitat includes chaparral and coniferous forest, generally on serpentine soils.

Description

It is an annual herb producing a branching or unbranched stem up to about 20 centimeters in maximum height or slightly taller. Leaves near the base of the stem are oval or lance-shaped with toothed edges, somewhat fleshy in texture with a mottled pattern, and no more than 2 to 3 centimeters long. Leaves farther up the stem are lance-shaped.

Flowers occur at intervals along the upper stem. Each has an urn-shaped calyx of purple or greenish sepals up to half a centimeter long. Purple or purple-streaked white petals emerge from the tip. The fruit is a straight or curving silique up to 3 centimeters in length.

References

  1. USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Streptanthus batrachopus". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  2. The Nature Conservancy


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