Boechera xylopoda
Bigfoot hybrid rockcress
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Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Boechera xylopoda (Bigfoot hybrid rockcress) is a native California perennial in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by purple petals, elevated woody base, and reflexed fruits.
Bigfoot hybrid rockcress is a California native perennial found in eastern Peninsular Ranges, Great Basin, and Desert bioregions on rock outcrops and gravelly slopes at elevations of 800 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces purple flowers approximately 9 to 12 millimeters long with petals 2 to 3.5 millimeters wide. Growing with slender stems 30 to 75 centimeters tall elevated on a woody base, it has a distinctive branching habit with short-stalked, multi-rayed hairs along its lower stem. Its basal leaves are 3 to 7 millimeters wide, ranging from entire to slightly toothed, with complex star-shaped hairs covering the surface. The fruit is a long, reflexed silique measuring 5 to 7 centimeters in length, with the upper two-thirds covered in fine hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 27 sympatric species; key features are purple petals, elevated woody base, and reflexed fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: rock outcrops, gravelly slopes, generally under shrubs
Elevation: 800-2500 m
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino, Kern, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, Tulare, Ventura, Imperial
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Boechera xylopoda blooms Mar-May.
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 xylopoda native to California?
Yes. Boechera xylopoda is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Boechera xylopoda bloom?
Boechera xylopoda blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Boechera xylopoda grow?
Boechera xylopoda occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, Kern, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, Tulare, Ventura and other counties, at elevations of 800-2500 m.
What plant family does Boechera xylopoda belong to?
Boechera xylopoda is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Boechera.
What habitat does Boechera xylopoda grow in?
Boechera xylopoda grows in rock outcrops, gravelly slopes, generally under shrubs.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Boechera yorkii — Last chance rockcress
- Boechera acutina — Pointed rockcress
- Boechera arcuata — Arching rockcress
- Boechera bodiensis — Bodie hills rockcress
- Boechera breweri — Brewer's rock cress
- Boechera breweri subsp. breweri — Brewer's rockcress
- Brassica fruticulosa — Mediterranean cabbage
- Brassica juncea — India mustard
- Brassica napus — Swede rape
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.