Physaria gordonii ssp. densifolia supposedly has denser stem leaves than Physaria gordonii. This highly variable characteristic is more dependent on good growing conditions than on genetic differences between plants. An Isotype held at NMSU, collected April 13, 1990, has full basal rosettes and abundant lower stem leaves. Rosettes and lower stem leaves wither with dryer growing conditions later in the spring making plants that are robust in early spring look like regular Physaria gordonii later in the season. Observation of plants at the type locality for several seasons reveals a confusing mixture of normal Physaria gordonii and plants that might be called subspecies densifolia. The NMRPTC concluded at its annual meeting in 2003 that subspecies densifolia does not deserve recognition as a unique entity.

Rollins described subspecies densifolia in 1993. Specimens assigned to this subspecies have only been collected at two locations near the towns of Lincoln and Capitan where it is locally abundant along disturbed roadsides.