Diplotaxis muralis
Annual wall rocket
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Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Diplotaxis muralis (Annual wall rocket) is a non-native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by key differences are basal rosette vs non-rosetted leaves and hairy vs glabrous stems.
Annual wall rocket is a naturalized plant found in southern California coastal areas in disturbed areas and dry streambeds at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces small yellow flowers about 5 to 8 millimeters long. Growing with hairy stems 20 to 50 centimeters tall, it develops as a generally scapose plant with distinctive characteristics. Its basal leaves are pinnately lobed with 2 to 4 pairs of lateral lobes, creating a complex leaf structure. The fruit develops 2 to 4 centimeters long with seeds ranging from 20 to 36 per pod.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key differences are basal rosette vs non-rosetted leaves and hairy vs glabrous stems
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed areas, dry streambeds
Elevation: < 300 m
Outside California: Canada, United States, native to Europe
Bloom period
Diplotaxis muralis blooms May-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Raphanus: Diplotaxis has bright yellow flowers while Raphanus has white to purple blooms, often with darker veins.; vs Hirschfeldia: Split open a pod - Diplotaxis has two rows of seeds with single-veined valves, Hirschfeldia has segmented pods.; vs Cardamine: Diplotaxis has yellow flowers and 20-36 seeds per pod, Cardamine has white flowers and far fewer seeds.; vs Oxalis: Diplotaxis has four-petaled mustard flowers in racemes, Oxalis has five-petaled flowers and clover-like leaves.; vs Brassica: Split a pod - Diplotaxis seeds are in two rows, Brassica seeds are in one row.
Frequently asked questions
Is Diplotaxis muralis native to California?
No. Diplotaxis muralis is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Diplotaxis muralis bloom?
Diplotaxis muralis blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Diplotaxis muralis belong to?
Diplotaxis muralis is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Diplotaxis.
What habitat does Diplotaxis muralis grow in?
Diplotaxis muralis grows in Uncommon. Disturbed areas, dry streambeds.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.