The Shale-barren Rockcress is an endangered species and can only be found in West Virginia and Virginia on mid-Appalachian shale barrens of the Ridge and Valley Province of the Appalachian Mountains. These shale barrens are characterized by an open, scrubby growth of pine, oak, red cedar, and other woody species that like dry conditions. This plant is highly restricted in its habitat and cannot tolerate disturbance of its environment. Threats to this species include destruction of its habitat by construction of roads, railroads, hiking paths, and the damming of a stream totally destroyed one population site.

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