Boechera rigidissima
Trinity mountain rockcress, Trinity Mountain Rockcress
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Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Boechera rigidissima (Trinity mountain rockcress) is a native California subshrub in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by . Key features: spreading pods with wavy edges, large winged seeds, Klamath range.
Trinity mountain rockcress is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges in rocky areas within open conifer forest at elevations of 1,800 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces purple flowers 6 to 8 millimeters long with petals about 1.5 to 2 millimeters wide. Growing with stems 20 to 60 centimeters tall, it emerges from a woody caudex with stems bearing two- to three-rayed hairs near the base. Its basal leaves are 2 to 6 millimeters wide, with simple or forked hairs, while stem leaves range from 5 to 10, becoming glabrous toward the tips. The elongated fruit is 4 to 7.6 centimeters long with slightly wavy edges, containing 24 to 54 seeds arranged in a single row.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species. Key features: spreading pods with wavy edges, large winged seeds, Klamath range
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky areas in open conifer forest
Elevation: 1800-2100 m
California counties: Trinity, Placer, Plumas, Tuolumne, Mono, Alpine
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Boechera rigidissima blooms Jul-Aug.
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 rigidissima native to California?
Yes. Boechera rigidissima is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Boechera rigidissima bloom?
Boechera rigidissima blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Boechera rigidissima grow?
Boechera rigidissima occurs in Trinity, Placer, Plumas, Tuolumne, Mono, Alpine, at elevations of 1800-2100 m.
What plant family does Boechera rigidissima belong to?
Boechera rigidissima is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Boechera.
Is Boechera rigidissima rare or endangered?
Boechera rigidissima carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S3.
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.