Arabis modesta
Modest rockcress, modest rockcress, modest rockcress
(c) Dee Shea Himes, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Arabis modesta (Modest rockcress) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by purple flowers, hairy habit, and spreading fruits.
Modest rockcress is a California native perennial herb ranked 4.3 by CNPS, found in the Klamath Ranges and southeastern North Coast Ranges in deep soil on steep slopes, cliffs, and shaded canyon ledges at elevations of 150 to 500 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces distinctive purple flowers that are spoon-shaped and 12 to 16 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems 22 to 55 centimeters tall, it develops a simple or few-branched caudex covered in distinctive 3- or 4-rayed hairs. Its basal leaves are obovate to oblanceolate, measuring 2 to 8 centimeters long with entire to wavy margins, while cauline leaves are oblong and shallowly dentate. The plant produces slender fruits 3.5 to 6 centimeters long that are ascending to spreading, containing 20 to 34 small oblong seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; key features are purple flowers, hairy habit, and spreading fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Deep soil on steep slopes, cliffs, shaded canyon ledges
Elevation: 150-500 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Napa, Solano
Outside California: southern Oregon
Bloom period
Arabis modesta blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Boechera: Arabis pods are narrower (under 2mm vs 2mm+) and consistently straight; Boechera pods are often curved.; vs Matthiola: Arabis has stalked star-shaped hairs and erect narrow pods; Matthiola has soft unbranched hairs and stouter pods.; vs Raphanus: Arabis has tiny star-shaped hairs and thin erect pods; Raphanus has larger flowers and thick beaded pods.; vs Pelargonium: Arabis has four petals and narrow upright pods; Pelargonium has five petals and beak-like fruits.; vs Phlox: Arabis has four separate petals and seed pods; Phlox has fused tubular flowers and capsules.
Frequently asked questions
Is Arabis modesta native to California?
Yes. Arabis modesta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arabis modesta bloom?
Arabis modesta blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Arabis modesta grow?
Arabis modesta occurs in Siskiyou, Napa, Solano, at elevations of 150-500 m.
What plant family does Arabis modesta belong to?
Arabis modesta is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Arabis.
Is Arabis modesta rare or endangered?
Arabis modesta carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.