Borodinia laevigata (Muhl. ex Willd.) P.J. Alexander & Windham

Locations ofBorodinia laevigata (Muhl. ex Willd.) P.J. Alexander & Windham in Virginia

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Detail

Family
Brassicaceae
Botanical Name
Borodinia laevigata (Muhl. ex Willd.) P.J. Alexander & Windham
Common Name
Smooth Rock Cress
Synonym(s)
Boechera laevigata (Muhl. ex Willd.) Al-Shehbaz; Arabis laevigata (Muhl. ex. Willd.) Poiret var. laevigata
Flora of Virginia Name/Status
Boechera laevigata (Muhl. ex Willd.) Al-Shehbaz
Comments
An extremely narrow-leaved form of this species that grows on limestone and dolostone cliffs, barrens, and rocky woodland slopes in southwest Virginia is nearly identical to Borodinia burkii, except for its inconspicuous leaf-base auricles. Further investigation of this variant is needed.

Eastern U.S. species of Boechera were transferred to the genus Borodinia by Alexander et al. (2013, Syst. Bot. 38:192-209) based on a relatively close relationship with Asian Borodinia macrophylla. While w. N. American Boechera form a convincing clade, we feel that additional studies are needed to firm up support for the transfer. Inclusion of only a single Asian species and stair-step relationships between a number of genera may belie the best placement of our eastern taxa.
Habitat
Dry woodlands, barrens, and outcrops on a wide variety of rocks; also in rocky or calcareous soils of mesic to dry upland forests; rarely in bottomlands. Common in the mountains and Piedmont; infrequent to rare in the Coastal Plain.
Native Status
Native

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