Streptanthus batrachopus

{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}

{{Speciesbox

|status = G1

|status_system = TNC

|genus = Streptanthus

|species = batrachopus

|authority = J.L.Morrison

}}

Streptanthus batrachopus is a rare species of flowering plant in the mustard family known by the common name Mt. Tamalpais jewelflower.{{PLANTS|id=STBA4|taxon=Streptanthus batrachopus|accessdate=4 December 2015}} It is endemic to Marin County, California, where it is known only from Mt. Tamalpais and surrounding terrain. There are fewer than ten known occurrences.[http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Streptanthus+batrachopus The Nature Conservancy]

Its habitat includes chaparral and coniferous forest, generally on serpentine soils.

Description

It is an annual herb producing a branching or unbranched stem up to about 20 centimeters in maximum height or slightly taller. Leaves near the base of the stem are oval or lance-shaped with toothed edges, somewhat fleshy in texture with a mottled pattern, and no more than 2 to 3 centimeters long. Leaves higher up the stem are lance-shaped.

Flowers occur at intervals along the upper stem. Each has an urn-shaped calyx of purple or greenish sepals up to half a centimeter long. Purple or purple-streaked white petals emerge from the tip. The fruit is a straight or curving silique up to 3 centimeters in length.

References

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