Aubrieta deltoidea
Garden aubrieta
(c) Elias, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Aubrieta deltoidea (Garden aubrieta) is a non-native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by Only Aubrieta species in California, waif species known from single location, distinguished by cushion growth form.
Garden aubrieta is a naturalized perennial found in the Hull Mountains region in open, disturbed areas at elevations around 2,000 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces purple to violet (occasionally white) flowers with petals 15 to 28 millimeters long. Growing in dense, prostrate to ascending mats 0.7 to 3 meters tall, it forms cushion-like clusters with branching stems. Its leaves are spoon-shaped to obovate, ranging from entire to coarsely dentate, with a densely hairy texture. The plant produces slender cylindric siliques 7 to 20 millimeters long with bristly hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only Aubrieta species in California, waif species known from single location, distinguished by cushion growth form
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, disturbed area
Elevation: +- 2000 m.
Outside California: native to Europe
Bloom period
Aubrieta deltoidea blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Chaenostoma: Aubrieta has 4 petals in cross shape; Chaenostoma has 5 petals fused into tube with two-lipped mouth.; vs Alyssum: Aubrieta is perennial with very long style (4-12mm); Alyssum is annual with short style (under 2mm).; vs Sibara: Aubrieta has simple entire leaves; Sibara has deeply divided pinnate leaves.; vs Descurainia: Aubrieta has simple entire or toothed leaves; Descurainia has finely divided fern-like leaves.; vs Polyctenium: Aubrieta has simple entire or toothed leaves; Polyctenium has deeply lobed or divided leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aubrieta deltoidea native to California?
No. Aubrieta deltoidea is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Aubrieta deltoidea bloom?
Aubrieta deltoidea blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Aubrieta deltoidea belong to?
Aubrieta deltoidea is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Aubrieta.
What habitat does Aubrieta deltoidea grow in?
Aubrieta deltoidea grows in Open, disturbed area.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.