Boechera tularensis facts for kids

The Tulare rockcress (scientific name: Boechera tularensis) is a special plant. It only grows in California, which means it is endemic there. You can find it in several counties in California, including Inyo, Mono, and Tulare counties.

This plant likes to grow on rocky slopes high up in the mountains. It lives in places between 2,400 and 3,200 meters (about 7,900 to 10,500 feet) above sea level.

What is the Tulare Rockcress?

The Tulare rockcress is a type of herb. It can live for two years (biennial) or a few years (short-lived perennial). It can grow quite tall, reaching up to 70 centimeters (about 27 inches).

How Does it Reproduce?

This plant often reproduces in a special way called apomixis. This means it can make seeds without needing pollen from another plant. The new plants grown from these seeds are exact copies, or clones, of the parent plant.

What Do Its Flowers Look Like?

The flowers of the Tulare rockcress are white or light purple. Their petals are about 6 to 7 millimeters long. These pretty flowers usually bloom in June and July. After the flowers, the plant produces a fruit that is 4 to 8.5 centimeters long.

Why is the Tulare Rockcress Important?

The Tulare rockcress is considered a special plant because it is quite rare. It is listed as "rare, threatened, or endangered" in California. This means that scientists and conservation groups are working to protect it.

How Do Scientists Study It?

Scientists have studied the Tulare rockcress's shape and structure. They believe it has parts from three other similar plants. These are B. rectissima, B. retrofracta, and B. stricta.

It can sometimes be hard to tell the Tulare rockcress apart from other plants like B. pinetorum and B. retrofracta. However, experts can spot the differences. This plant is mainly found in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains, in places like Fresno and Tulare counties.