Anelsonia eurycarpa
Broad podded phoenicaulis
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Anelsonia eurycarpa (Broad podded phoenicaulis) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by Monotypic genus representing a relictual Great Basin element in high Sierra Nevada, distinct from other North American Brassicaceae.
Broad podded phoenicaulis is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and eastern Sierra Nevada in broken rock, talus, and alpine slopes at elevations of 1,600 to 4,100 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces white to purple flowers in delicate umbel-like clusters with petals 4.5 to 6 millimeters long. Growing with several short stems 1 to 4 centimeters tall emerging from a many-branched cespitose caudex, it forms dense basal rosettes with overlapping, linear to broadly oblanceolate leaves covered in canescent hairs. Its leaves are entirely silvery with dense, minute, club-shaped hairs, creating a soft, silvery appearance across the plant's compact form. The fruit is distinctive, developing into large pods 1.5 to 3 centimeters long, 5 to 9 millimeters wide, with a purplish leathery surface and sharp-pointed tips.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Monotypic genus representing a relictual Great Basin element in high Sierra Nevada, distinct from other North American Brassicaceae
Habitat and range
Habitat: Broken rock, talus, slopes, ridges
Elevation: 1600-4100 m
California counties: Mono, Fresno, Inyo, Tuolumne, Tulare, Alpine, Madera
Outside California: to Idaho, Nevada
Bloom period
Anelsonia eurycarpa blooms Jun-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Draba: Anelsonia has shaggy old leaf stalks at base; Draba has clean base without persistent stalks.; vs Cusickiella: Anelsonia has 10+ seeds per pod with club-shaped hairs; Cusickiella has 1-4 smooth seeds.
Frequently asked questions
Is Anelsonia eurycarpa native to California?
Yes. Anelsonia eurycarpa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Anelsonia eurycarpa bloom?
Anelsonia eurycarpa blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Anelsonia eurycarpa grow?
Anelsonia eurycarpa occurs in Mono, Fresno, Inyo, Tuolumne, Tulare, Alpine, Madera, at elevations of 1600-4100 m.
What plant family does Anelsonia eurycarpa belong to?
Anelsonia eurycarpa is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Anelsonia.
What habitat does Anelsonia eurycarpa grow in?
Anelsonia eurycarpa grows in Broken rock, talus, slopes, ridges.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.