Draba sphaeroides

Perennials; (cespitose, densely pulvinate); caudex branched (branches often tangled with persistent leaf remnants, prostrate, slender, sometimes terminating in sterile rosettes); scapose. Stems unbranched, (0.2–)0.3–0.8 dm, sparsely pubescent proximally, glabrous distally, trichomes usually 2- or 3-rayed, rarely some simple, 0.1–0.25 mm. Basal leaves not rosulate; subsessile; petiole margins not ciliate; blade oblanceolate to oblong or elliptic, 0.3–0.8(–0.9) cm × (1–)1.5–3(–4) mm, margins entire, (not ciliate), surfaces usually pubescent, rarely both surfaces glabrous (except margin), with stalked, 2–4-rayed trichomes, 0.07–0.4 mm (or, rarely, trichomes mostly simple and 2-rayed adaxially). Cauline leaves 0. Racemes (3–)5–11(–14)-flowered, ebracteate, slightly elongated in fruit; rachis not flexuous, glabrous or sparsely pubescent as stem. Fruiting pedicels divaricate-ascending, straight or curved upward, (sometimes slightly expanded basally), 3–8 mm, usually glabrous, rarely sparsely pubescent, trichomes simple and 2- or 3-rayed. Flowers: sepals broadly ovate, 1.7–2.5 mm, glabrous or sparsely pubescent, (trichomes simple and short-stalked, 2- or 3-rayed); petals yellow, spatulate, 2.7–4 × 1.5–2.2 mm; anthers ovate, 0.4–0.5 mm. Fruits broadly lanceolate to ellipsoid or ovoid, plane, inflated at least basally, (2.5–)3.5–7(–8) × (1.5–)2–3.5 mm; valves glabrous or sparsely pubescent, trichomes simple and short-stalked, 2(–4)-rayed, 0.07–0.2 mm; ovules 4–10(–12) per ovary; style 0.3–1(–1.3) mm. Seeds oblong, 1–1.5 × 0.8–1 mm. 2n = 20.

Phenology: Flowering Jun–Aug.
Habitat: Rock outcrops, talus, soil pockets on rocky slopes
Elevation: 2500-3300 m

Nev.

Discussion

Of conservation concern.

Draba sphaeroides is closely related to D. pedicellata; the two are easily distinguished using the characteristics discussed by M. D. Windham (2004). The species is known from Elko County (East Humboldt, Ruby and Jarbidge mountains) in northeastern Nevada.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa