Cleomella obtusifolia
Mojave stinkweed, Mojave Stinkweed
(c) W. Terry Hunefeld, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by W. Terry Hunefeld · licence
Family: Cleomaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Cleomella obtusifolia (Mojave stinkweed) is a native California herb in the Cleomaceae family, recognized by distinctive hairy habit and prostrate mat form.
Mojave stinkweed is a California native annual found in the Sonoran Desert and eastern Sierra Nevada in desert scrub and sandy, rocky alkaline flats at elevations below 1,800 meters. Flowering from April to October, this plant produces dark yellow flowers 4 to 6 millimeters long with hairy petals. Growing with rough stems that form rounded mats 10 to 90 centimeters tall, the plant transitions from ascending to prostrate as it matures. Its leaves feature 5 to 15 millimeter obovate leaflets arranged in a distinctive pattern, with younger stems bearing single flowers in leaf axils and older stems developing dense raceme clusters. The plant produces small hairy capsules 3 to 4 millimeters long with conic to horn-shaped valves.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; distinctive hairy habit and prostrate mat form
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert scrub, sandy, rocky alkaline flats
Elevation: < 1800 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, San Diego, Los Angeles, Mono, Kern, Imperial, Sacramento
Outside California: western Nevada
Bloom period
Cleomella obtusifolia blooms Apr-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Physaria: Physaria has inflated bladder-like pods and 4 petals; Cleomella has small flat round capsules and variable petals.; vs Astragalus: Astragalus has compound leaves and pea-shaped flowers; Cleomella has palmately divided leaves and regular flowers.; vs Sesbania: Sesbania has pinnately compound leaves and large pea flowers; Cleomella has palmate leaves and small regular flowers.; vs Atriplex: Atriplex has tiny greenish flowers and simple leaves; Cleomella has showy flowers and palmately divided leaves.; vs Isocoma: Isocoma has yellow composite flower heads; Cleomella has individual flowers with separate petals and prominent stamens.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cleomella obtusifolia native to California?
Yes. Cleomella obtusifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cleomella obtusifolia bloom?
Cleomella obtusifolia blooms Apr-Oct.
Where in California does Cleomella obtusifolia grow?
Cleomella obtusifolia occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, San Diego, Los Angeles, Mono, Kern, Imperial, Sacramento, at elevations of < 1800 m.
What plant family does Cleomella obtusifolia belong to?
Cleomella obtusifolia is in the Cleomaceae family, genus Cleomella.
What habitat does Cleomella obtusifolia grow in?
Cleomella obtusifolia grows in Desert scrub, sandy, rocky alkaline flats.
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.