Search / Plant Profile / Lepidium barnebyanum

Plant Profile

Barneby's Pepper-grass (Lepidium barnebyanum)

View of the herbaceous perennial. Note the cushion shape growing habit. Photo Credit: Carol Dawson

Global Rank: G1 - Critically Imperiled
Legal Status: Federally Endangered
Family: Brassicaceae
State: UT
Nature Serve ID: 142407
Lifeform: Forb/herb
Date Inducted in National Collection: 04/04/1991

Description:

Lepidium barnebyanum is a perennial, herbaceous plant in the mustard family. This plant produces glabrous stems and narrow leaves clustered at the base of the plant. Cream-colored flowers begin blooming in April or early May (USFWS 1990). Barneby Ridge-cress has been listed as Endangered since September of 1990. The remaining population totals less than 5000 individuals spread over one 500 acre site (USFWS 1992). The narrow range of this species makes it particularly vulnerable to random environmental events and human threats.

Where is Barneby's Pepper-grass (Lepidium barnebyanum) located in the wild?

Habitat:

L. barnebyanum is restricted to white marly shale outcrops of the Uinta formation which are often underlain by petroleum deposits. Surrounded by Pinyon-juniper communities on poorly developed soils. Found at elevations of 6,200-6,500 ft. (USFWS 1992).Found with Pinus edulis, Juniperus osteosperma, Arenaria hookeri, Phlox hoodii, Chamaechaenactis scaposa, Parthenium ligulatum, Haplopappus armerioid, Hymenoxys acaulis, Eriogonum batemanii, Townsendia mensana. (USFWS 1990, 1992).

Distribution:

L. barnebyanum is endemic to Indian Canyon Drainage, Duchesne County, Utah. (USFWS 1992)

States & Provinces:

Barneby's Pepper-grass can be found in Utah

Which CPC Partners conserve Barneby's Pepper-grass (Lepidium barnebyanum)?

Denver Botanic Gardens

Conservation Actions

09/18/2020

The Denver Botanic Gardens has several thousand seeds in short and long-term storage as part of the Center for Plant Conservation's national collection of endangered plants.

09/18/2020

The Denver Botanic Gardens has several thousand seeds in short and long-term storage as part of the Center for Plant Conservation's national collection of endangered plants.

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

An estimated 5000 individuals, occupying a habitat of less than 200 ha, are known. These are located on 4 ridgelines in Duchesne County, Utah. The plants are entirely restricted to white shale outcrops which are being damaged by motorcycles and other off-road vehicle traffic. The habitat is also subject to oil and gas exploration and development.

Thomas Grant

01/01/2010

Threats include off-road vehicles, habitat degradation, possible development of oil and gas wells, stochastic events (USFWS 1992).

Thomas Grant

01/01/2010

Known from 1 population with ca. 5,000 individuals, located on 4 ridgelines in Duchesne County, Utah. (USFWS 1992)

Thomas Grant

01/01/2010

None known.

Thomas Grant

01/01/2010

The Denver Botanic Gardens has several thousand seeds in short and long-term storage as part of the Center for Plant Conservation's national collection of endangered plants.

Thomas Grant

01/01/2010

Management needs include completion of formal management designations for each of the three populations to assure their continued long-term protection from off-road vehicle damage. Research needs include understanding the general reproductive biology and ecology of this species as well as habitat requirements and population dynamics (USFWS 1992).

Thomas Grant

01/01/2010

Additional seed collection and banking.