Scientific Family
Brassicaceae
Synonyms
Physaria gordonii
Other common names
bladderpod mustard
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Biennial or annual
Similar species
Lesquerella fendleri
Height
4 to 14 inches
Riparian
No
A low bushy erect, spreading, or prostrate plant which can be annual, perennial, or biennial.
Short-lived plant which has several slender stems that lie on the ground, turning up at the tips. Unlike Lesquerella fendleri, it is not tufted and has a more open appearance.
Habitat
Prefers rocky or sandy soils on desert flats, plains, or mesas. Scarce on sandy loam.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
0
High elevation
7000
Flower Characteristics
Flowers have 4 rounded petals.
Flower color
Yellow
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
February
Last bloom month
May
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Basal leaves are spoon shaped and may be lobed while the stem leaves are narrow and smooth.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Grayish-green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Spherical inflated pods have dual chambers and slender pointed tips.
Fruit type
Pod
Fruit color
Reddish-brown
There are several flattened, fan shaped seeds in each half of the pod.