Boechera shockleyi
Shockley's rockcress
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Boechera shockleyi (Shockley's rockcress) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by . Key features: spreading long pods, many cauline leaves, dolomite substrate.
Shockley's rockcress is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in the Sonoran Borders, White and Inyo Mountains, and Desert Mountains on rock outcrops and gravelly dolomite soils at elevations of 1,200 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces lavender flowers 6 to 9 millimeters long with delicate petals. Growing 20 to 50 centimeters tall with stems emerging from a dense basal rosette, it features distinctive short-stalked, 7 to 12-rayed hairs along its lower stem. Its basal leaves are entire and 3 to 10 millimeters wide, with short-stalked branched hairs covering the leaf surfaces. The fruit is a long, spreading-ascending silique 4.5 to 11 centimeters in length, containing 140 to 190 seeds arranged in two rows.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species. Key features: spreading long pods, many cauline leaves, dolomite substrate
Habitat and range
Habitat: rock outcrops, gravelly soil, generally dolomite
Elevation: 1200-2500 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Tulare, Mono
Outside California: to Utah
Bloom period
Boechera shockleyi blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.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 shockleyi native to California?
Yes. Boechera shockleyi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Boechera shockleyi bloom?
Boechera shockleyi blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Boechera shockleyi grow?
Boechera shockleyi occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Tulare, Mono, at elevations of 1200-2500 m.
What plant family does Boechera shockleyi belong to?
Boechera shockleyi is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Boechera.
Is Boechera shockleyi rare or endangered?
Boechera shockleyi carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S2.
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.