Arabis perstellata E. L. Braun, Rhodora 42: 47. 1940; A. perstellata var. ampla Rollins

Perennials; usually short-lived; sexual; caudex not woody. Stems usually 2-5 per plant, arising from margin of rosette near ground surface, (1-)2-8 dm, densely pubescent proximally, trichomes short-stalked, 3- or 4-rayed, 0.1-0.5 mm, similarly pubescent distally. Basal leaves: blade obovate to oblanceolate, (5-)10-45 mm wide, margins usually coarsely dentate, rarely sinuate, ciliate on petiole base, surfaces moderately pubescent, trichomes short-stalked, 3- or 4(-6)-rayed, 0.1-0.5 mm. Cauline leaves: 6-25, concealing stem proximally; blade auricles 1-6 mm, surfaces of distalmost leaves pubescent. Racemes 10-40 -flowered, usually unbranched. Fruiting pedicels usually horizontal, usually straight, rarely slightly curved, 5-15 mm, pubescent, trichomes spreading, simple. Flowers ascending at anthesis; sepals pubescent; petals purplish, 3-4 × 0.7-1 mm, glabrous; pollen ellipsoid. Fruits usually horizontal, not appressed to rachis, not secund, straight, edges parallel, (1.5-) 2-3.3 cm × 0.8-1 mm; valves sparsely pubescent throughout; ovules 12-20 per ovary; style 0.4-0.8 mm. Seeds uniseriate, 0.8-1.1 × 0.6-0.8 mm, not winged. 2n = 14.

Flowering Apr-May. Calcareous bluffs and wooded hillsides; of conservation concern; 200-400 m; Ky., Tenn.

Boechera perstellata is in the Center for Plant Conservation’s National Collection of Endangered Plants.