Boechera bodiensis
Bodie hills rockcress, Bodie Hills Rockcress
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jim Morefield · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Boechera bodiensis (Bodie hills rockcress) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by narrow elevation range and small flower size distinctive.
Bodie hills rockcress is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in northern Mono County in the Sierra Nevada Eastern border region, growing in rocky soil and igneous rock crevices at elevations of 2,400 to 2,900 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces lavender to purple flowers 4 to 5 millimeters long with delicate petals. Growing with slender stems 15 to 35 centimeters tall emerging from a slightly woody caudex, it develops from a basal rosette with distinctive multi-rayed hairs. Its leaves are narrow, 1 to 3 millimeters wide, with basal leaves having short-stalked, 5 to 10-rayed hairs and cauline leaves featuring 4 to 9 branches. The plant produces spreading-ascending fruits 4 to 6.2 centimeters long with 48 to 68 seeds arranged in a single row.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; narrow elevation range and small flower size distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky soil, igneous rock crevices
Elevation: 2400-2900 m
Outside California: western Nevada
Bloom period
Boechera bodiensis blooms Jul-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
How to tell it apart
vs Arabis: Boechera pods hang downward or curve and are wider (2mm+); Arabis pods stand rigidly erect and are narrower.; vs Matthiola: Boechera has flattened pods; Matthiola has cylindrical pods and densely hairy gray-green foliage.; vs Streptanthus: Boechera petals narrow gradually without a claw; Streptanthus petals have a distinct narrow claw at base.; vs Penstemon: Boechera has four-petaled flowers and seed pods; Penstemon has tubular five-lobed flowers.; vs Caulanthus: Boechera is perennial with a woody base; Caulanthus is typically annual or biennial without a woody caudex.
Frequently asked questions
Is Boechera bodiensis native to California?
Yes. Boechera bodiensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Boechera bodiensis bloom?
Boechera bodiensis blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Boechera bodiensis belong to?
Boechera bodiensis is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Boechera.
Is Boechera bodiensis rare or endangered?
Boechera bodiensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Boechera bodiensis grow in?
Boechera bodiensis grows in Rocky soil, igneous rock crevices.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.