Boechera rollei
Rolle's rockcress, Rolle's Rockcress
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Boechera rollei (Rolle's rockcress) is a native California subshrub in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by . Key features: pendant pods with wavy edges, curved pedicels, very limited range.
Rolle's rockcress is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in northern Klamath Ranges in Siskiyou County, growing among rocks on sparsely forested slopes at elevations of 1,600 to 1,800 meters. Flowering in August, this plant produces white to pale flowers approximately 8 to 11 millimeters long with delicate petals. Growing with slender stems 15 to 25 centimeters tall emerging from a woody caudex, it develops from a central basal rosette with an elevated woody base. Its basal leaves are 3 to 8 millimeters wide, with entire margins edged by simple hairs and glabrous surfaces, while its cauline leaves feature small discrete lobes. The distinctive pendulous fruit develops 3.5 to 6 centimeters long with gently wavy edges, containing 14 to 22 seeds arranged in a single row.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species. Key features: pendant pods with wavy edges, curved pedicels, very limited range
Habitat and range
Habitat: Among rocks on sparsely forested slopes
Elevation: 1600-1800 m
California counties: Siskiyou
Bloom period
Boechera rollei blooms Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 rollei native to California?
Yes. Boechera rollei is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Boechera rollei bloom?
Boechera rollei blooms Aug.
Where in California does Boechera rollei grow?
Boechera rollei occurs in Siskiyou, at elevations of 1600-1800 m.
What plant family does Boechera rollei belong to?
Boechera rollei is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Boechera.
Is Boechera rollei rare or endangered?
Boechera rollei carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
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.