Boechera yorkii
Last chance rockcress, Last Chance Rockcress
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Boechera yorkii (Last chance rockcress) is a native California perennial in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by yellow to brick-red petals.
Last chance rockcress is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in the Last Chance Range in the desert mountains of Inyo County on calcareous rock crevices and ledges at elevations of 2,250 to 2,400 meters. Flowering in May, this plant produces small yellow to brick-red flowers approximately 9 to 10 millimeters long with narrow petals. Growing 1 to 3 decimeters tall with a woody caudex, it emerges from the center of a basal rosette and has stems covered in short-stalked, 4 to 7-rayed hairs. Its basal leaves are narrow, 1 to 3 millimeters wide, and entirely unlobed, with similar branched hair structures as the stem. The immature fruit is reflexed and hairy, extending to approximately 4 centimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; yellow to brick-red petals are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Calcareous rock crevices, ledges
Elevation: 2250-2400 m
California counties: Inyo
Bloom period
Boechera yorkii blooms May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 yorkii native to California?
Yes. Boechera yorkii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Boechera yorkii bloom?
Boechera yorkii blooms May.
Where in California does Boechera yorkii grow?
Boechera yorkii occurs in Inyo, at elevations of 2250-2400 m.
What plant family does Boechera yorkii belong to?
Boechera yorkii is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Boechera.
Is Boechera yorkii rare or endangered?
Boechera yorkii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Boechera breweri subsp. shastaensis — Shasta rockcress
- Brassica fruticulosa — Mediterranean cabbage
- Brassica juncea — India mustard
- Brassica napus — Swede rape
- Brassica nigra — Black mustard
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.