Boechera serpenticola
Serpentine rockcress
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Boechera serpenticola (Serpentine rockcress) is a native California perennial in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by . Key features: serpentine substrate, horizontal/pendant wide pods, long styles.
Serpentine rockcress is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in southern Klamath Ranges on serpentine ridges and talus at elevations of 1,100 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces distinctive purple flowers 6 to 8 millimeters long with petals 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters wide. Growing with slender stems 5 to 18 centimeters tall emerging from a woody caudex, it has short-stalked stems with 5 to 8-rayed hairs. Its basal leaves are narrow, 1 to 2 millimeters wide, with cauline leaves ranging from 4 to 14, featuring short-stalked, branched hairs. The fruits are horizontal, 3 to 4.5 centimeters long, with 20 to 24 seeds arranged in a single row.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species. Key features: serpentine substrate, horizontal/pendant wide pods, long styles
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine ridges, talus
Elevation: 1100, 2100 m
California counties: Trinity, Shasta, Tehama
Bloom period
Boechera serpenticola blooms Mar-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 serpenticola native to California?
Yes. Boechera serpenticola is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Boechera serpenticola bloom?
Boechera serpenticola blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Boechera serpenticola grow?
Boechera serpenticola occurs in Trinity, Shasta, Tehama, at elevations of 1100, 2100 m.
What plant family does Boechera serpenticola belong to?
Boechera serpenticola is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Boechera.
Is Boechera serpenticola rare or endangered?
Boechera serpenticola carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, 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 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.