Boechera breweri subsp. shastaensis
Shasta rockcress, Shasta Rockcress
Photo: parent species Boechera breweri · (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Boechera breweri subsp. shastaensis (Shasta rockcress) is a native California subshrub in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by Tall stems (1.8-4.5 dm); fruit pedicels >9 mm, glabrous.
Shasta rockcress is a California native perennial found in eastern Klamath Ranges, northern California Interior Ranges, California Roaring Fork, northern Sierra Nevada Foothills, and Sutter Buttes in rocky woodland areas at elevations of 300 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces small white to pale lavender flowers on delicate stems. Growing 18 to 45 centimeters tall with slender, erect stems that are sparsely hairy or glabrous, it forms an upright, narrow habit characteristic of rockcress species. Its leaves are generally narrow and elongated, arranged alternately along the stem, with smooth or slightly toothed margins. The fruit develops on pedicels longer than 9 millimeters, creating distinctive elongated seed pods typical of mustard family plants.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Tall stems (1.8-4.5 dm); fruit pedicels >9 mm, glabrous
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky areas in woodland
Elevation: 300-1200 m
California counties: Trinity, Siskiyou, Nevada, Plumas, Butte, Tehama, Shasta, Colusa, Glenn, Sierra, Contra Costa
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Boechera breweri subsp. shastaensis blooms Mar-Jun.
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 breweri subsp. shastaensis native to California?
Yes. Boechera breweri subsp. shastaensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Boechera breweri subsp. shastaensis bloom?
Boechera breweri subsp. shastaensis blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Boechera breweri subsp. shastaensis grow?
Boechera breweri subsp. shastaensis occurs in Trinity, Siskiyou, Nevada, Plumas, Butte, Tehama, Shasta, Colusa and other counties, at elevations of 300-1200 m.
What plant family does Boechera breweri subsp. shastaensis belong to?
Boechera breweri subsp. shastaensis is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Boechera.
What habitat does Boechera breweri subsp. shastaensis grow in?
Boechera breweri subsp. shastaensis grows in Rocky areas in woodland.
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.