Boechera pinzliae
Pinzl's rockcress
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jim Morefield · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Boechera pinzliae (Pinzl's rockcress) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by . Key features: very wide pods, alpine granitic habitat.
Pinzl's rockcress is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in the White and Inyo Mountains in gravelly granitic alpine and subalpine areas at elevations of 3,000 to 3,400 meters. Flowering in July, this plant produces purple flowers about 4 to 5 millimeters long with petals 1 to 1.5 millimeters wide. Growing with slender stems 4 to 16 centimeters tall, it emerges from a woody caudex with short-stalked, branched hairs. Its basal leaves are narrow, 1 to 3 millimeters wide, with sparse short-stalked hairs, while cauline leaves decrease in size up the stem. The fruit is an ascending pod 2.5 to 4.8 centimeters long, containing 26 to 34 seeds arranged in a single row.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated. Key features: very wide pods, alpine granitic habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravelly granitic soil in alpine, subalpine areas
Elevation: 3000-3400 m
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Boechera pinzliae blooms Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 pinzliae native to California?
Yes. Boechera pinzliae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Boechera pinzliae bloom?
Boechera pinzliae blooms Jul.
What plant family does Boechera pinzliae belong to?
Boechera pinzliae is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Boechera.
Is Boechera pinzliae rare or endangered?
Boechera pinzliae carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S1.
What habitat does Boechera pinzliae grow in?
Boechera pinzliae grows in Gravelly granitic soil in alpine, subalpine areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.