Dithyrea californica
California shieldpod
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Dithyrea californica (California shieldpod) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by . Desert distribution.
California shieldpod is a California native perennial found in Desert bioregions in sandy places and scrub at elevations of 50 to 1,400 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces white to pale lavender flowers up to 1.5 centimeters long with delicate petals. Growing with several branched stems 1 to 6 meters tall, it emerges densely hairy from its base. Its basal leaves are oblanceolate to widely ovate, measuring 2 to 11 centimeters long and featuring dentate to shallowly lobed edges. The fruit contains two oblong seeds 3 to 4 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated with no sympatric congeners. Desert distribution is diagnostic.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Abundant in sandy places, washes, scrub
Elevation: 50-1400 m
California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, San Diego
Outside California: Nevada, western Arizona, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Dithyrea californica blooms Mar-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Alyssum: Dithyrea has huge white petals (10-15mm) and spectacle-shaped pods; Alyssum has tiny yellow petals (1.5-4mm) and round flat pods.; vs Euclidium: Dithyrea has large showy white flowers (petals 10-15mm); Euclidium has microscopic flowers (petals under 1.3mm).; vs Tropidocarpum: Dithyrea has naked flower clusters and spectacle-shaped fruits; Tropidocarpum has leafy bracts throughout inflorescence.; vs Hornungia: Dithyrea has large white petals (10-15mm) and spectacle fruits; Hornungia has tiny petals (1-2mm) and oval pods.; vs Physaria: Dithyrea has spectacle-shaped fruits with 2 seeds total; Physaria has round bladder-like fruits with multiple seeds.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dithyrea californica native to California?
Yes. Dithyrea californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dithyrea californica bloom?
Dithyrea californica blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Dithyrea californica grow?
Dithyrea californica occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, San Diego, at elevations of 50-1400 m.
What plant family does Dithyrea californica belong to?
Dithyrea californica is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Dithyrea.
What habitat does Dithyrea californica grow in?
Dithyrea californica grows in Abundant in sandy places, washes, scrub.
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.