Boechera rectissima
Bristly leaf rockcress
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jim Morefield · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Boechera rectissima (Bristly leaf rockcress) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by . Key features: strongly reflexed appressed fruits, small white flowers, tall stature.
Bristly leaf rockcress is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada, Mono, and San Bernardino Mountains on rocky slopes in open conifer forest at elevations of 1,100 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces small white flowers 3 to 4 millimeters long with delicate white petals. Growing with slender stems 20 to 100 centimeters tall, it emerges from a non-woody base near ground level with multiple stems from each rosette. Its leaves are distinctive, with basal leaves 3 to 13 millimeters wide, covered in a mix of simple and short-stalked branched hairs. The plant produces long, strongly reflexed fruits 5 to 9 centimeters in length that are glabrous and slightly curved.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 35 sympatric species. Key features: strongly reflexed appressed fruits, small white flowers, tall stature
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes in open conifer forest
Elevation: 1100-2800 m
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Boechera rectissima blooms May-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 rectissima native to California?
Yes. Boechera rectissima is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Boechera rectissima bloom?
Boechera rectissima blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Boechera rectissima belong to?
Boechera rectissima is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Boechera.
What habitat does Boechera rectissima grow in?
Boechera rectissima grows in Rocky slopes in open conifer forest.
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.