Boechera pendulocarpa
Dropseed rockcress
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Boechera pendulocarpa (Dropseed rockcress) is a native California perennial in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by . Key features: pendant fruits on recurved pedicels.
Dropseed rockcress is a California native perennial found in the Great Basin region on rock outcrops, gravelly slopes, and open meadows at elevations of 1,800 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces white to lavender flowers approximately 4 to 6 millimeters long with delicate, narrow petals. Growing with slender stems 15 to 30 centimeters tall, it emerges from a base of short-stalked, multi-rayed hairy rosettes near ground level. Its basal leaves are 1.5 to 5 millimeters wide, entire, with distinctive 4 to 8-rayed hairs, while cauline leaves become progressively fewer and more sparse up the stem. The distinctive fruit is notably pendulous, measuring 2 to 3.8 centimeters long and hanging in an elegant, elongated form.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species. Key features: pendant fruits on recurved pedicels
Habitat and range
Habitat: rock outcrops, gravelly slopes, in open meadows
Elevation: 1800-3000 m
Outside California: to western Canada, Montana, Utah
Bloom period
Boechera pendulocarpa 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 pendulocarpa native to California?
Yes. Boechera pendulocarpa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Boechera pendulocarpa bloom?
Boechera pendulocarpa blooms Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Boechera pendulocarpa belong to?
Boechera pendulocarpa is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Boechera.
What habitat does Boechera pendulocarpa grow in?
Boechera pendulocarpa grows in rock outcrops, gravelly slopes, in open meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.