Ophir Pass rockcress facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ophir Pass rockcress |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Boechera
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| Species: |
ophira
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| Synonyms | |
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Arabis ophira |
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Boechera ophira (pronounced Bow-KER-uh OH-feer-uh) is a very special and rare wild plant. It used to be called Arabis ophira. This plant is part of the mustard family, just like the mustard you might put on a hot dog! People often call it the Ophir Pass rockcress or Ophir rockcress. It is found only in one specific place, which means it is endemic to Nevada in the United States. You can find it in Nye and Lander Counties, growing high up on the Toiyabe Range mountains.
Contents
Discovering the Ophir Pass Rockcress
What Does This Plant Look Like?
The Ophir Pass rockcress is a perennial plant, which means it lives for many years. It is also a herb, meaning it has soft stems instead of woody ones like a tree. This plant grows hairy stems that can reach up to 14 centimeters (about 5.5 inches) tall. These stems grow from a tough, woody base called a caudex.
Around the bottom of the stems, you'll find narrow, hairy leaves. A few more leaves grow higher up on the stems too. The plant's flowers grow in a cluster called a raceme. There are usually 6 to 15 flowers, each with beautiful purple petals. After the flowers, the plant produces a straight, thin fruit called a silique, which can be up to 4 centimeters (about 1.5 inches) long.
Where Does the Ophir Rockcress Live?
This unique plant lives in subalpine areas. This means it grows in cool climates found high up on mountains, just below the tree line. It prefers the very top, or crest, of the Toiyabe mountain range.
The Ophir rockcress likes to grow in clay soils. These soils are often covered with loose pieces of quartzite rock, which is called scree. It shares its home with other plants like Artemisia arbuscula (a type of sagebrush), Leptodactylon pungens, and various kinds of grasses.
Why Is This Plant So Rare?
The Ophir Pass rockcress is very rare. Scientists only know of five places where this plant grows. In total, there are fewer than 200 individual plants known to exist.
The places where this plant lives are very rugged and hard to reach. This makes it difficult for scientists to explore the area. Because of this, it's possible that more of these special plants might be growing in hidden spots!
