Physaria ludoviciana

Native

Minnesota endangered species

April to August

Dry. Sand-gravel prairies, steep bedrock bluff prairies.

Yellow

4″ to 16″

This is an erect or ascending, perennial forb that rises on several stems from a taproot. It can be 4″ to 16″ tall, though it is usually no taller than 8″.

The stems are erect or ascending.

Basal leaves are narrow, up to 4″ long and ⅜″ wide. The margins are untoothed or shallowly toothed. Stem leaves are similar, few, getting progressively smaller as they ascend the stem. Upper stem leaves are stalkless and taper to the base. All leaves are covered with a dense layer of star-shaped hairs, giving them a silvery appearance.

The inflorescence is an elongated cluster up to 6″ long at the end of the stems.

The flowers have 4 sepals, 4 yellow petals, and 6 stamens.

The fruit is a roundish, hairy, about ⅛″ wide pod with 2 chambers.

Sources: 2, 3, 5, 6.

Spring Creek Prairie SNA has one of the largest known populations of this plant. Most of the populations are within the city limits of Redwing. Look for it on exposed, sandy soils on south-facing bluffs.