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Plant Profile

Stones River Bladderpod (Paysonia stonensis)

The fragrant yellow and white flowers of the Stones River bladderpod. Photo Credit: Greg Weiland

Global Rank: G1 - Critically Imperiled
Legal Status: N/A
Family: Brassicaceae
State: TN
Nature Serve ID: 153263
Lifeform: Forb/herb
Date Inducted in National Collection: 03/08/1989

Description:

The Stones River bladderpod is a showy member of the mustard family, producing fragrant white flowers. This rare annual requires habitat disturbance in order to complete its life-cycle. Historically, the floodplain habitat it was found in was maintained by regular flooding, which removed competitive perennial grasses and woody plants. With alterations to the waterways where this species occurs, flooding no longer maintains the habitat this plant needs. Now, ironically, further alteration to the environment is keeping this plant alive, as annual crop production is the primary way to artificially maintain the habitat this species needs--as long as there is no fall planting or herbicide use. In some years the plant is quite abundant locally, but virtually absent in others. A persistent seed bank seems to be important in the persistence of this plant within its narrow range in the floodplains of the Stones River.

Where is Stones River Bladderpod (Paysonia stonensis) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Open areas of the Stones River floodplain--primarily in disturbed areas such as pastures, agricultural fields and roadsides. (USFWS 1999)

Distribution:

Rutherford County, Tennessee, along the floodplains of the Stones River. (USFWS 1999)

States & Provinces:

Stones River Bladderpod can be found in Tennessee

Which CPC Partners conserve Stones River Bladderpod (Paysonia stonensis)?

Missouri Botanical Garden

Conservation Actions

Center for Plant Conservation

08/19/2021

In 2021, CPC contracted Missouri Botanical Garden to recollect seed from a population currently held in long term orthodox seed storage as part of an IMLS-funded seed longevity experiment. The National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation will evaluate how germination tested viability and RNA Integrity of seed lots decline over time in storage.

09/23/2020

Carol J. Baskauf, a researcher at Austin Peay State University, is studying the population genetics of this species (Baskauf 2001)

09/23/2020

Seed germination biology study completed (Baskin and Baskin 1990)

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

Known only from Rutherford County, Tennessee, where it inhabits the floodplains of the Stones River and some of its tributaries. The species is only established and persistent at 2 locations, but about 20 occurrences have been recorded, many quite large in some years. A Cooperative Management Agreement among the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers outlines appropriate agricultural management techniques that will provide the disturbance required for the species the complete its life cycle. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service believes that this Agreement secures into the foreseeable future the fourteen sites where the species occurs on public conservation lands many quite large in some years. Additionally, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation will continue to work with the owners of the six privately owned sites to gain appropriate management for these sites and to obtain long-term protection for them.

Kimberlie McCue, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

Encroachment of more competitive vegetation Loss of habitat through land conversion (via residential, commercial, or industrial development) (USFWS 1999)

Kimberlie McCue, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

The number of sites with plants evident above ground varies from year to year. There are only a few sites that seem to be well established, however, in some years up to 20 sites can be found with plants extant. (USFWS 1999)

Kimberlie McCue, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

Seed germination biology study completed (Baskin and Baskin 1990) A three year monitoring program was completed in 1997. Sites studied were on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property on J. Percy Priest Reservoir. Carol J. Baskauf, a researcher at Austin Peay State University, is studying the population genetics of this species (Baskauf 2001)

Kimberlie McCue, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

A collaborative management plan between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was developed in 1998 for the Stones River Mustard Field Natural Area to conserve the Stones River bladderpod. The plan includes schedules for haying and use of herbicides to control Johnson grass and other weeds. (USFWS 1999)

Kimberlie McCue, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

Life history studies are needed

Kimberlie McCue, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

Establish genetically representative seed collections ex situ