Physaria acutifolia Family: Brassicaceae (A Utah Flora - Cruciferae) – Mustard Family Perennial herbs; stems 1.2” to 9.8” (0.3 to 2.5 dm) long Leaves: basal and alternate; simple; blue-green rounded spatula-shaped leaves; leaves reduced upwards; entire to toothed; basal leaves 0.68" to 3.8” (1.7 to 9.5 cm) long, 0.24" to 1.8” (0.6 to 4.5 cm) wide Flowers: 4 yellow petals in the shape of a cross or crucifer; 4 sepals; 6 stamens; 1 pistil; flowers 0.3" to 0.5” (7.5 to 12.5 mm) long; nectar glands commonly 4 Pollinators: other genera in this family are pollinated by insects (specifically butterflies, moths, bees and flies); some self-fertile Fruits: bladdery-inflated silique - a pod with 2 compartments with a thin partition Blooms in Arches National Park: February, March, April Habitat in Arches National Park: desert shrub, grassland and pinyon-juniper communities Location seen: park road mile 0 to 2.5, Park Avenue, Windows, upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint Other: The genus name, “Physaria”, is from the Greek physa meaning “bladder” which refers to the inflated seedpods. The species name, “acutifolia”, means "with pointed leaves". The common name, twinpod, refers to the seed's shape. Many plants in this family are weeds and they flower early because they are annual. Many vegetables are in this family– radish, cabbage, cauliflower. A few species of plants in this family are poisonous to livestock. |
Last updated: February 24, 2015