Diplotaxis tenuifolia
Perennial wall rocket
(c) Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Subshrub · Not Native
Diplotaxis tenuifolia (Perennial wall rocket) is a non-native California subshrub in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by key differences are woody stem base, glabrous upper stems, and non-rosetted basal leaves.
Perennial wall rocket is a naturalized plant found in southern California coastal and Sacramento Valley regions in disturbed areas and roadsides at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces yellow flowers with petals 7 to 11 millimeters long. Growing with woody stems 20 to 70 centimeters tall, it has an erect, generally glabrous habit. Its leaves are deeply pinnately lobed with 2 to 5 lateral lobes, forming a distinctive asymmetric shape. The fruit is a slender elongated pod 2 to 5 centimeters long, holding 20 to 32 small ovoid seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key differences are woody stem base, glabrous upper stems, and non-rosetted basal leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed areas, roadsides
Elevation: < 300 m
Outside California: Canada, United States, native to Europe
Bloom period
Diplotaxis tenuifolia 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 tenuifolia native to California?
No. Diplotaxis tenuifolia is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Diplotaxis tenuifolia bloom?
Diplotaxis tenuifolia blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Diplotaxis tenuifolia belong to?
Diplotaxis tenuifolia is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Diplotaxis.
What habitat does Diplotaxis tenuifolia grow in?
Diplotaxis tenuifolia grows in Uncommon. Disturbed areas, roadsides.
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.