Boechera suffrutescens

Woody rockcress

Boechera suffrutescens (Woody rockcress), native California subshrub

(c) Daniel Kennedy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence

Family: Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) · Type: Subshrub · Native

Boechera suffrutescens (Woody rockcress) is a native California subshrub in the Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) family.

Woody rockcress is a California native found in the Klamath Ranges, North Coast Ranges High, Cascade Range High, Sierra Nevada, and Modoc Plateau bioregions, growing on rocky slopes and gravelly soil, generally with sagebrush, at elevations from 1,500 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from June to August, it has a woody caudex with stems arising from a basal rosette, petals 4.5 to 6 millimeters long tinged purple or rose near the tip, and reflexed to pendent fruits 3 to 8 centimeters long.

Habitat and range

Habitat: Rocky slopes, gravelly soil, generally with sagebrush

Elevation: 1500--3000 m

Outside California: to Washington, Idaho

Bloom period

Boechera suffrutescens blooms Jun--Aug.

Frequently asked questions

Is Boechera suffrutescens native to California?

Yes. Boechera suffrutescens is native to California (recorded as native).

When does Boechera suffrutescens bloom?

Boechera suffrutescens blooms Jun--Aug.

What plant family does Boechera suffrutescens belong to?

Boechera suffrutescens is in the Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) family, genus Boechera.

What habitat does Boechera suffrutescens grow in?

Boechera suffrutescens grows in Rocky slopes, gravelly soil, generally with sagebrush.

Related species

Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.

All Boechera species · All Brassicaceae (Cruciferae)

Sources: Jepson eFlora

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.