Caulanthus amplexicaulis
Clasping leaved caulanthus
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Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Caulanthus amplexicaulis (Clasping leaved caulanthus) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by large wavy-margined petals with reflexed tips.
Clasping leaved caulanthus is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in southern Santa Lucia Mountains, Transverse Ranges in chaparral and open, sandy or rocky areas at elevations of 800 to 2,900 meters. Flowering from April to August, this plant produces purple and straw-colored flowers with wavy-edged petals 10 to 18 millimeters long, with the distal petals slightly longer and reflexed. Growing 0.4 to 1.1 meters tall with an erect, glaucous stem, it develops in glabrous form with distinctive growth characteristics. Its leaves form a basal rosette 1.5 to 10 centimeters long, obovate to oblanceolate with dentate margins, and cauline leaves that are sessile with lobed or clasping bases. The plant produces ascending to spreading fruits 4.5 to 14 centimeters long, containing 40 to 92 oblong seeds 1.4 to 2.2 millimeters in size.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; large wavy-margined petals with reflexed tips are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, open, sandy or rocky areas, serpentine, granitic and shale scree
Elevation: 800-2900 m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Tulare, Plumas, Santa Barbara, Riverside, Ventura, San Diego, Inyo, Mono, Kern, Mariposa
Bloom period
Caulanthus amplexicaulis blooms Apr-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
How to tell it apart
vs Streptanthus: Seed pods are cylindrical and round versus flattened blade-like pods in Streptanthus.; vs Sisymbrium: Petals are distinctively crinkled and papery versus smooth petals in Sisymbrium.; vs Hirschfeldia: Young pods reflex sharply downward versus pointing upward or outward.; vs Boechera: Pods reflex downward and contain wingless seeds versus erect pods with winged seeds.; vs Brassica: Young seed pods bend sharply downward versus pointing upward in Brassica.
Frequently asked questions
Is Caulanthus amplexicaulis native to California?
Yes. Caulanthus amplexicaulis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Caulanthus amplexicaulis bloom?
Caulanthus amplexicaulis blooms Apr-Aug.
Where in California does Caulanthus amplexicaulis grow?
Caulanthus amplexicaulis occurs in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Tulare, Plumas, Santa Barbara, Riverside, Ventura, San Diego and other counties, at elevations of 800-2900 m.
What plant family does Caulanthus amplexicaulis belong to?
Caulanthus amplexicaulis is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Caulanthus.
Is Caulanthus amplexicaulis rare or endangered?
Caulanthus amplexicaulis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.