Physaria gordoni

This and Physaria fendleri, both previously in the genus Lesquerella, can form large carpets of flowers on dry slopes in wet years. This species is generally taller, more upright, and less densely leafy than gordoni, but reliable identification requires microscopic observation of leaf trichomes. Physaria fendleri seems to be the more abundant of the two in New Mexico, especially on limestone.

Plant habit at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, 2/5/05.

Flowers at Organ Pipe, 2/5/05.