lesquerella

Lesquerella is a genus of flowering plants in the mustard family, Brassicaceae. These plants are native to North America, with a few species found in South America. They are commonly known as bladderpods, a name derived from the inflated, bladder-like appearance of their seed pods. Lesquerella species are typically herbaceous annuals or perennials, though some can be small shrubs. They are characterized by their four-petaled yellow or white flowers, which usually appear in racemes. The leaves are often basal, forming a rosette, and can be simple or lobed. These plants are adapted to a variety of habitats, including grasslands, deserts, and rocky slopes. Some species have economic importance as sources of industrial oils, particularly lesquerolic acid, which is used in the production of lubricants and cosmetics. However, many lesquerella species are not widely cultivated and are primarily of interest to botanists and researchers studying plant diversity and adaptation. The genus has undergone taxonomic revisions, and some species previously classified within Lesquerella are now placed in other genera, such as Physaria.