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Plant Profile

Spring Creek Bladderpod (Paysonia perforata)

A closeup of the white flowers (4 white petals & yellow center) of the Spring Creek bladderpod. Photo Credit:

Global Rank: G1 - Critically Imperiled
Legal Status: Federally Endangered
Family: Brassicaceae
State: TN
Nature Serve ID: 137674
Lifeform: Forb/herb
Date Inducted in National Collection: 03/08/1989

Description:

Lesquerella perforata's common name, Spring Creek bladderpod, derives from the floodplain area in which it grows and the shape of its fruit. This rare plant is now known only from a small area within Tennessee's Central Basin. It's continued survival is threatened by practices that alter its habitat, including residential, commercial, or industrial development, livestock grazing, and encroachment of its habitat by woody and herbaceous perennials. (USFWS 1996) This species is a lovely winter annual--it germinates in the early fall, spends its winters as a small rosette of leaves, and produces white to lavender flowers in March and April. Soon after these flowers wither, fruit matures and the plants die. Once mature, fruits split open, allowing their enclosed seeds to fall to the ground. Here, the seeds lie dormant until the fall, where this interesting life cycle begins again with seed germination. (USFWS 1996)

Where is Spring Creek Bladderpod (Paysonia perforata) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Typically found growing on flood plains. Some sort of regular disturbance appears to be necessary for the survival of L. perforata. Some types of agricultural practice (i.e. row-crop cultivation) may provide disturbance at the appropriate time and be beneficial to the species. (USFWS 1996)Often occurs with Echinacea tennesseensis, Juniperus virginiana, Petalostemon gattingeri, Sporobolus vaginiflorus, Dalea foliosa, Arabis perstellata ampla, Thuja occidentalis, and Picea rubens. (USFWS 1996)

Distribution:

Occurs within a small area in Wilson County in the vicinity of Lebanon, Tennessee. With one exception, all sites are within the flood plains of Spring and Bartons Creeks. One site is above the flood

States & Provinces:

Spring Creek Bladderpod can be found in Tennessee

Which CPC Partners conserve Spring Creek Bladderpod (Paysonia perforata)?

Missouri Botanical Garden

Conservation Actions

Tina Stanley

07/14/2022

As of July 2022, Southeastern Grasslands Initiative had collected 1 accession of Paysonia perforata from populations in Tennessee.

Tina Stanley

07/14/2022

As of July 2022, Southeastern Grasslands Initiative holds 11 maternal lines from 1 accessions (wild provenance only) totaling 139 seeds.

10/06/2020

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

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

This species is known only from Wilson County, Tennessee, in the vicinity of Lebanon, where it inhabits the floodplains of 2 creeks. There are only 4 populations known extant within this small area. The plants are very locally abundant at some sites, but commercial, residential, and industrial development pose a significant threat. Even though this species is disturbance-adapted, fall plowing and herbicide use could adversely affect the habitat.

Kimberlie McCue, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

Habitat alteration Residential, commercial, or industrial development Livestock-grazing Conversion of its limited habitat to pasture Habitat encroachment by woody vegetation and herbaceous perennials (USFWS 1996)

Kimberlie McCue, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

Thirteen extant sites which form a total of 4 populations. Populations can vary in size from year to year, from a few to many thousands of individuals. (USFWS 1996)

Kimberlie McCue, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

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

Determine appropriate techniques for habitat management Study of the life history/biology of the species is needed