Biorepository Data Portal

Perennials; caudex simple; densely pubescent, trichomes (often wavy, closely appressed to blade surfaces), 4-5-rayed, rays furcate or bifurcate, slightly fused near base, (tuberculate throughout). Stems simple from base, loosely spreading, usually decumbent, (well exserted from basal leaves, often reddish purple), 0.8-2.4 dm. Basal leaves: blade (erect), spatulate to nearly rhombic, 2.5-5(-9) cm, (base gradually narrowed to petiole), margins entire, (flat). Cauline leaves: blade spatulate, similar to basal, margins entire. Racemes loose, (elongated, exceeding basal leaves). Fruiting pedicels (ascending, curved or sigmoid), 4-7 mm. Flowers: sepals (pale yellow), lingulate to spatulate, 3.5-4 mm; petals narrowly oblanceolate, 4-6 mm. Fruits ellipsoid, not inflated (strongly latiseptate, more so at apex), (3-)5-9 mm; valves pubescent, trichomes closely appressed to surface; ovules 4-8 per ovary; style 2.5-4.5 mm (never more than 1/2 fruit length). Seeds plump. Flowering Jun-Jul. Limestone outcrops; 1600-2800 m; Mont., Wyo. Physaria curvipes is known from the Big Horn Mountains.