Boechera depauperata
Soldier rockcress
Dean Wm. Taylor (via Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Boechera depauperata (Soldier rockcress) is a native California perennial in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by high elevation, small stature, and narrow leaves distinctive.
Soldier rockcress is a California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada and White and Inyo Mountains on exposed ridges and talus slopes in subalpine and alpine habitats at elevations of 2,650 to 3,900 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces lavender to purple flowers approximately 3.5 to 5 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems less than 15 centimeters tall, it emerges from a slightly woody caudex with short, multi-rayed hairs. Its basal leaves are narrow, 0.7 to 3 millimeters wide, with distinctive short-stalked, 5 to 8-rayed hairs covering the surface. The fruit is a long, spreading pod 1.7 to 4.5 centimeters in length, containing 32 to 44 seeds arranged in a single row.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species; high elevation, small stature, and narrow leaves distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Exposed ridges, talus slopes, in subalpine, alpine habitats
Elevation: 2650-3900 m
California counties: Inyo, Tulare, Mono, Alpine, Fresno, Madera, Tuolumne, Shasta, El Dorado, Placer
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Boechera depauperata blooms Jun-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 depauperata native to California?
Yes. Boechera depauperata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Boechera depauperata bloom?
Boechera depauperata blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Boechera depauperata grow?
Boechera depauperata occurs in Inyo, Tulare, Mono, Alpine, Fresno, Madera, Tuolumne, Shasta and other counties, at elevations of 2650-3900 m.
What plant family does Boechera depauperata belong to?
Boechera depauperata is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Boechera.
What habitat does Boechera depauperata grow in?
Boechera depauperata grows in Exposed ridges, talus slopes, in subalpine, alpine habitats.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.