Boechera cobrensis
Masonic rockcress
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Boechera cobrensis (Masonic rockcress) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by pendant fruits with recurved pedicels distinctive.
Masonic rockcress is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in the northern Desert Mountains and southeastern California in sandy soil under shrubs at elevations of 1,350 to 3,400 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white to lavender flowers 3.5 to 6 millimeters long with delicate petals. Growing with slender stems up to 25 centimeters tall, it develops from a somewhat woody caudex with stems emerging from the center of a basal rosette. Its basal leaves are 1 to 4 millimeters wide, entire and covered with short-stalked, 4 to 10-rayed hairs, while cauline leaves are sparse and minimally hairy. The fruit is a distinctive pendulous pod 2.5 to 5.5 centimeters long, hanging freely with smooth surfaces.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 19 sympatric species; pendant fruits with recurved pedicels distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy soil, under shrubs in semi-desert
Elevation: 1350-3400 m
California counties: Mono, Tulare, Inyo
Outside California: to Oregon, Wyoming
Bloom period
Boechera cobrensis blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.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 cobrensis native to California?
Yes. Boechera cobrensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Boechera cobrensis bloom?
Boechera cobrensis blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Boechera cobrensis grow?
Boechera cobrensis occurs in Mono, Tulare, Inyo, at elevations of 1350-3400 m.
What plant family does Boechera cobrensis belong to?
Boechera cobrensis is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Boechera.
Is Boechera cobrensis rare or endangered?
Boechera cobrensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.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.