Descurainia pinnata subsp. brachycarpa
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Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Descurainia pinnata subsp. brachycarpa is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by glandular nature and larger flowers vs. subsp. glabra.
Tansy mustard is a California native annual found in sagebrush scrub, pinyon and juniper woodland, and disturbed areas across California at elevations of 100 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces yellow to lavender flowers small and delicate, approximately 2 to 3 millimeters long. Growing with glandular green stems 15 to 45 centimeters tall, it spreads with spreading branches at angles between 20 to 60 degrees. Its finely divided pinnate leaves are soft green and lacy, with multiple small leaflets creating a delicate, feathery appearance. The plant has a distinctive glandular character, with hairy stems and inflorescences that give it a slightly fuzzy, pale green texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; key features are glandular nature and larger flowers vs. subsp. glabra
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas, sagebrush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland, sandy fields, dry washes, streambanks, dry slopes, cliffs
Elevation: 100-2200 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Kern, Riverside, Alpine, Contra Costa, Lassen, Siskiyou, San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, Alameda, Santa Clara, Tehama, Tulare, Mono, Orange, Ventura, Modoc, Inyo, Nevada, Sierra, Merced, Monterey, Plumas, Mariposa, Imperial, Lake, Tuolumne, Fresno
Outside California: to British Columbia, eastern Canada, Texas, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Descurainia pinnata subsp. brachycarpa blooms Mar-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Sisymbrium: Descurainia has soft fuzzy many-branched hairs; Sisymbrium is smooth or has simple unbranched hairs.; vs Lepidium: Descurainia has feathery divided leaves; Lepidium has simple or less-divided leaves and round flat pods.; vs Hirschfeldia: Descurainia has finely divided feathery leaves; Hirschfeldia has lobed but not finely dissected leaves.; vs Brassica: Descurainia has finely divided lacy leaves; Brassica has lobed or simple leaves, not finely dissected.; vs Erodium: Descurainia has four petals and cylindrical pods; Erodium has five petals and long-beaked fruits.
Frequently asked questions
Is Descurainia pinnata subsp. brachycarpa native to California?
Yes. Descurainia pinnata subsp. brachycarpa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Descurainia pinnata subsp. brachycarpa bloom?
Descurainia pinnata subsp. brachycarpa blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Descurainia pinnata subsp. brachycarpa grow?
Descurainia pinnata subsp. brachycarpa occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Kern, Riverside, Alpine, Contra Costa, Lassen, Siskiyou and other counties, at elevations of 100-2200 m.
What plant family does Descurainia pinnata subsp. brachycarpa belong to?
Descurainia pinnata subsp. brachycarpa is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Descurainia.
What habitat does Descurainia pinnata subsp. brachycarpa grow in?
Descurainia pinnata subsp. brachycarpa grows in Disturbed areas, sagebrush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland, sandy fields, dry washes, streambanks, dry slopes, cliffs.
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.