Boechera hoffmannii
Hoffmann's rockcress
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Boechera hoffmannii (Hoffmann's rockcress) is a native California subshrub in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by geographic isolation on Channel Islands diagnostic.
Hoffmann's rockcress is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in northern Channel Islands, specifically Santa Cruz Island, on thin sandstone soils at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from February to March, this plant produces white to pale lavender flowers approximately 8 to 10 millimeters long with delicate petals. Growing with erect stems 50 to 70 centimeters tall emerging from a woody caudex, it develops from a basal rosette with distinctive branching hairs. Its basal leaves are narrowly oblanceolate, 3 to 8 millimeters wide, with coarse teeth and short-stalked hairs that branch into 2 to 7 rays. The fruit develops as a spreading-ascending silique 6 to 10 centimeters long, containing 170 to 220 seeds arranged in two rows.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; geographic isolation on Channel Islands diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Thin soil over sandstone
Elevation: < 500 m
California counties: Santa Barbara
Bloom period
Boechera hoffmannii blooms Feb-Mar.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
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 hoffmannii native to California?
Yes. Boechera hoffmannii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Boechera hoffmannii bloom?
Boechera hoffmannii blooms Feb-Mar.
Where in California does Boechera hoffmannii grow?
Boechera hoffmannii occurs in Santa Barbara, at elevations of < 500 m.
What plant family does Boechera hoffmannii belong to?
Boechera hoffmannii is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Boechera.
Is Boechera hoffmannii rare or endangered?
Boechera hoffmannii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1S2.
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.