Lesquerella purpurea, Purple Bladderpod
Scientific Name: Lesquerella purpurea
Common Name: Purple Bladderpod
Also Called: Rose Bladderpod, Western White Bladderpod
Family: Brassicaceae, Mustard Family
Synonyms: (Lesquerella purpurea ssp. foliosa)
Status: Native
Duration: Perennial
Size: about 1 to 1 ½ feet.
Growth Form: Forb/herb; basal leaves with few stems, stems up to 12 or more inches tall.
Leaves: Green; basal, hairy, broad oval and petiolate, 1 to 5 inches long, simple, shapes variable margins variable, entire dentate or lobe.
Flower Color: White, purple or rose; corolla of 4 petals, purple streaks, petals pink below, multiple flowers loosely clustered on tip of inflorescence; fruit is a glandular hair, globose pinkish-purple capsule.
Flowering Season: January to May.
Elevation: 1,500 to 5,000 feet.
Habitat Preferences: Partial shade of bushes under 5,000 feet.
Recorded Range: Rare in the United States where it is found only in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas and it is also native to northern Mexico. In Arizona it can be found in the central and southern parts of the state.
North America & US County Distribution Map for Lesquerella purpurea.
U.S. Weed Information: No data available.
Invasive/Noxious Weed Information: No data available.
Wetland Indicator: No data available.
Threatened/Endangered Information: No data available.
Comments: Can be distinguished from all other species of Lesquerella in Arizona by its white, purplish or rose flower color.
The genus is named in honor of Leo Lesquereux, 1805-1889, Swiss and American Botanist.