Boechera davidsonii
Davidson's rockcress
(c) Sam Eberhard, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Boechera davidsonii (Davidson's rockcress) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by crowded leaf bases and broad glabrous leaves distinctive.
Davidson's rockcress is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada and Warner Mountains on rocky ledges and outcrops at elevations of 1,200 to 3,400 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces white to lavender flowers 6 to 10 millimeters long with delicate petals. Growing with slender stems 6 to 23 centimeters tall emerging from a woody caudex, it forms compact clusters with persistent leaf bases. Its basal leaves are 3.5 to 14 millimeters wide, generally entire and glabrous, while cauline leaves are sparse and unlobed. The fruit develops as an ascending to spreading silique 2.5 to 7 centimeters long, with seeds arranged in a single row.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 28 sympatric species; crowded leaf bases and broad glabrous leaves distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Ledges, rock outcrops
Elevation: 1200-3400 m
California counties: Tulare, Kern, Tuolumne, Fresno, Plumas, Nevada, Madera, Mariposa, Inyo, Mono, Sierra, Modoc, Alpine
Outside California: Oregon, Nevada
Bloom period
Boechera davidsonii blooms Apr-Jul.
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 davidsonii native to California?
Yes. Boechera davidsonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Boechera davidsonii bloom?
Boechera davidsonii blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Boechera davidsonii grow?
Boechera davidsonii occurs in Tulare, Kern, Tuolumne, Fresno, Plumas, Nevada, Madera, Mariposa and other counties, at elevations of 1200-3400 m.
What plant family does Boechera davidsonii belong to?
Boechera davidsonii is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Boechera.
What habitat does Boechera davidsonii grow in?
Boechera davidsonii grows in Ledges, rock outcrops.
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.