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Plant Profile

Missouri Bladderpod (Physaria filiformis)

Global Rank: G3 - Vulnerable
Legal Status: Federally Threatened
Family: Brassicaceae
State: AR, MO
Nature Serve ID: 137002
Lifeform: Forb/herb
Date Inducted in National Collection: 03/05/1993

Description:

Physaria filiformis is a winter annual, meaning that it flowers in spring, and matures fruit in the early summer. Once hot weather arrives, plants disperse their seeds and die. These seeds lie dormant through the heat of the summer and germinate in the fall under moist conditions. They overwinter as a small basal rosette (1-4 cm diameter), and then flower and fruit the following spring, beginning the cycle all over again. Plants are densely pubescent with a fine taproot. Individual plants can produce one or more flowering stems that can reach a height of 20 cm. Flowering stems bear yellow flowers, up to 9 mm wide. Fruits are globose, potentially containing up to four seeds. In 2003, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service downlisted this species from Federally Endangered to Federally Threatened (McKenzie 2003). Known sites of the species increased from 11 to 76 since the species was listed (USFWS 2015), due to the discovery of new populations through extensive surveys in Missouri and Arkansas.

Where is Missouri Bladderpod (Physaria filiformis) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Physaria filiformis is a sun-loving annual that occupies limestone, dolomite, or shale glades, which are sparsely vegetated grasslands with shallow soils and exposed bedrock. Fire along with edaphic extremes shape the open structure of glade ecosystems and controls encroachment of woody species (USFWS 1988). Physaria filiformis often occurs in patches of sparse vegetation where disturbances from frost heaving and/or rodent activity open up small pockets of bare soil (USFWS 1988). Associates commonly found with the species includes Arenaria petula, Camassia scilloides, Houstonia nigricans, Northoscordum bivalve, Opuntia humifusa, Satureja arkansana, Sedum pulchellum, and Verbena canadensis. (USFWS 1988). In southwestern MO, several populations occur on private property sites presently or formerly used as pasture (Thomas 1996). Several of these sites are dominated by exotic annual Brome grass, including Bromus tectorum (Thomas 1996). Shade from woody encroachment can negatively impact the distribution and abundance of Physaria filiformis (Young et al. 2009). In glades, the species typically occurs in greater abundance in open, shallow-soil microhabitats compared to more shaded, deeper soil microhabitats occupied by eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) or deciduous hardwoods (Young et al. 2009). After experimental removal of eastern redcedar, Physaria filiformis abundance increased over time and the magnitude of change in abundance was correlated with the amount of woody encroachment removed, indicating that light is a major limiting resource for the species (Young et al. 2009). However, plants can exhibit higher fitness in shaded microhabitats in spring droughts suggesting that habitat heterogeneity is an important feature maintaining the long-term persistence of this species (Thomas 1996).

Distribution:

This threatened taxon occurs in disjunct populations between southwestern Missouri, the northern Arkansas Ozarks, and the Ouachita Mountains in central Arkansas. The species can occur on three different substrates, including limestone glades in Missouri and Arkansas, dolomite glades in northern Arkansas, and shale glades in the Ouachita Mountains. The species is known from four counties in Missouri and five counties in Arkansas. Ten sites in Missouri and four sites in Arkansas are currently under protected ownership.

States & Provinces:

Missouri Bladderpod can be found in Arkansas, Missouri

Which CPC Partners conserve Missouri Bladderpod (Physaria filiformis)?

Missouri Botanical Garden

Conservation Actions

10/17/2020

Effects of trampling on survival and reproduction (Thomas & Wilson 1992) Population ecology, including seed dormancy and seed bank studies, plant survivorship, and reproductive success studies (Thomas 1996)

10/17/2020

In 2017-18, MBG is seed-banking populations using newly generated genetic data to guide sampling. Missouri Botanical Garden is currently conducting a range-wide population genetics study of Missouri bladderpod using microsatellite markers.

10/17/2020

Development and Implementation of a Protocol for Long-Term Monitoring of Bladder-Pod (Physaria Filiformis) at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield (M. Kelrick at Truman State University) The Missouri Department of Conservation has developed a list of ""Best Management Practices"" for landowners and managers (e.g. avoid non-specific herbicide use in areas of Missouri bladderpod between October and July). Habitat restoration such as cedar clearing and burning has been done in some areas and has resulted in successful re-establishment of the Bladderpod (one such area is Rocky Barrens near Springfield, MO)

10/17/2020

Missouri Botanical Garden currently maintains 59 seed-bank accessions. In 2017-18, MBG is seed-banking populations using newly generated genetic data to guide sampling.

10/17/2020

Missouri Botanical Garden currently maintains 59 seed-bank accessions. In 2017-18, MBG is seed-banking populations using newly generated genetic data to guide sampling.

Matthew Albrecht

12/22/2017

Missouri Botanical Garden is currently conducting a range-wide population genetics study of Missouri bladderpod using microsatellite markers.

Matthew Albrecht

12/22/2017

Missouri Botanical Garden currently maintains 59 seed-bank accessions. In 2017-18, MBG is seed-banking populations using newly generated genetic data to guide sampling.

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

Known from the limestone glades of the Springfield Plateau area of southwestern Missouri and from parts of Arkansas. The species is currently known from about 60 sites (in 1987, when the species was listed endangered, only 9 sites where known); further inventories may continue to uncover additional populations. Population sizes fluctuate greatly, but may reach half a million in the most favorable years. Populations may face significant threats from exotic plant species, especially Bromus tectorum, and from fire suppression and subsequent woody plant encroachment. Some populations are protected and managed with prescribed fire and woody plant removal. However, some populations and much of the species' habitat could be impacted by urban/suburban expansion.

Kimberlie McCue, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

Trampling Invasion of woody species and/or exotic species Grazing Off-road vehicles Highway maintenance activities along rights-of-way, including mowing and herbiciding Urban development Limestone quarrying (USFWS 1988)

Kimberlie McCue, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

Approximately 61 populations, primarily in southwest Missouri. The number of individuals can vary dramatically from year to year. As an example, one site at Wilson's Creek Battlefield has been monitored for ten years. The number of individuals observed has ranged from zero to over three hundred thousand from year to year. (USFWS 1988)

Kimberlie McCue, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

Kimberlie McCue, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

Kimberlie McCue, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

Determine precise microhabitat needs Determine how natural disturbances (such as fire) contribute to the long-term persistence of the species Better understanding of population biology Maintain habitat heterogeneity (Thomas 1996) to ensure long-term persistence of the species in an unpredictable environment