Boechera elkoensis
Elko rockcress
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Boechera elkoensis (Elko rockcress) is a native California perennial in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by erect appressed fruits with large winged seeds distinctive.
Elko rockcress is a California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada and northern eastern Sierra Nevada in gravelly-rocky soil within open forest and subalpine meadows at elevations of 2,050 to 3,150 meters. Flowering in July, this plant produces lavender to white flowers approximately 4 to 7 millimeters long in small clusters of 4 to 11 blossoms. Growing with slender stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it emerges from a slightly woody caudex with stems bearing star-shaped hairs near the base. Its basal leaves are narrow, 2 to 6 millimeters wide, with sparse star-shaped hairs, while upper leaves become progressively glabrous. The fruit develops as an erect, slender silique 3 to 7 centimeters long with slightly wavy edges.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; erect appressed fruits with large winged seeds distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravelly-rocky soil in open forest, subalpine meadows
Elevation: 2050-3150 m
California counties: Mono, Nevada, Tulare, Tuolumne, Fresno, Inyo
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Boechera elkoensis blooms 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 elkoensis native to California?
Yes. Boechera elkoensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Boechera elkoensis bloom?
Boechera elkoensis blooms Jul.
Where in California does Boechera elkoensis grow?
Boechera elkoensis occurs in Mono, Nevada, Tulare, Tuolumne, Fresno, Inyo, at elevations of 2050-3150 m.
What plant family does Boechera elkoensis belong to?
Boechera elkoensis is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Boechera.
What habitat does Boechera elkoensis grow in?
Boechera elkoensis grows in Gravelly-rocky soil in open forest, subalpine meadows.
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.