TWINPOD

Physaria chambersii

Mustard Family (Cruciferae)

This little wildflower forms diminuitive clumps of bright yellow flowers, rather like a modest version of the more familiar basket-of-gold, which is a distant relative. One of the very earliest spring wildflowers, it is a characteristic species of the Great Basin. Closely related and very similar species occur throughout the Intermountain area, and all are known by the name of twinpod. The name refers to the bladdery, balloonlike pink fruits, which develop in pairs from each flower and form an attractive and interesting feature of the plant. Twinpod is a desert plant that likes full sun and well-drained soils, and it does not perform well if the soil is overly fertile or if overwatered. It is a good self-seeder, however, so patches tend to persist in an informal setting even if individual plants are short lived. Good companions for twinpod include Utah ladyfinger milkvetch and fragrant evening primrose, which also prefer coarse, gravelly soils and hot exposures.