Streptanthus howellii

Streptanthus howellii is an uncommon species of flowering plant in the mustard family known by the common name Howell's jewelflower.[1] It is endemic to the Klamath Mountains of southern Oregon and northern California. It grows in mountain forests on serpentine soils. It is a perennial herb producing a hairless, often waxy-textured stem up to 70 or 80 centimeters in maximum length. It is generally unbranched. The ephemeral basal leaves have fleshy oval blades with smooth or toothed edges, borne on petioles. Leaves farther up the stem are similar but smaller and narrower, with shorter petioles or none. They do not clasp the stem. Flowers occur at intervals along the upper stem. Each has a calyx of purple sepals under a centimeter long with purple-tipped yellow petals emerging from the tip. The fruit is a thin, smooth, curved silique up to 12 centimeters long.

Streptanthus howellii

Imperiled  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Brassicales
Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Streptanthus
Species:
S. howellii
Binomial name
Streptanthus howellii

This rare plant is threatened by wildfire suppression; it would be more common if its habitat were allowed its natural fire regime.[2] It is also threatened by mining operations.[3]

References
  1. "Streptanthus howellii". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  2. The Nature Conservancy
  3. California Native Plant Society Rare Plant Profile


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