Boechera paupercula
Small-flowered rockcress
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Boechera paupercula (Small-flowered rockcress) is a native California perennial in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by . Key features: small flowers, short stature, alpine habitat, erect appressed fruits.
Small-flowered rockcress is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada, Warner Mountains, and White and Inyo Mountains on rock outcrops, talus, and gravelly soils in alpine and subalpine habitats at elevations of 2,500 to 3,700 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces lavender to purple flowers 4 to 7 millimeters long with delicate petals. Growing with slender stems 3 to 15 centimeters tall emerging from a somewhat woody caudex, it forms compact clusters near ground level. Its basal leaves are narrow, 1 to 5 millimeters wide, with short-stalked, multi-rayed hairs covering the surface. The fruit is an erect, appressed silique 2.5 to 5.5 centimeters long with 24 to 40 seeds arranged in a single row.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 30 sympatric species. Key features: small flowers, short stature, alpine habitat, erect appressed fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: rock outcrops, talus, gravelly soil, in alpine, subalpine habitats
Elevation: 2500-3700 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono, Tulare, Modoc, Nevada, Alpine, Madera, Siskiyou, Tuolumne, El Dorado, Fresno, Amador
Outside California: to Washington, Wyoming
Bloom period
Boechera paupercula blooms Jun-Aug.
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 paupercula native to California?
Yes. Boechera paupercula is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Boechera paupercula bloom?
Boechera paupercula blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Boechera paupercula grow?
Boechera paupercula occurs in Inyo, Mono, Tulare, Modoc, Nevada, Alpine, Madera, Siskiyou and other counties, at elevations of 2500-3700 m.
What plant family does Boechera paupercula belong to?
Boechera paupercula is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Boechera.
What habitat does Boechera paupercula grow in?
Boechera paupercula grows in rock outcrops, talus, gravelly soil, in alpine, subalpine habitats.
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
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.