Erysimum capitatum
Western wallflower, Western Wallflower
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Erysimum capitatum (Western wallflower) is a native California subshrub in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by orange to yellow flowers and variable habitats.
Western wallflower is a California native perennial herb found in diverse habitats across California's mountain and foothill regions at elevations ranging from low to moderate heights. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces vibrant orange to yellow flowers (occasionally lavender to purple) with broad petals 12 to 25 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems 1.2 to 10 feet tall, it develops a characteristic biennial or short-lived perennial form. Its narrow leaves are linear to spoon-shaped, 0.3 to 1.5 centimeters wide, with distinctive 2 to 4-rayed hairs covering the surface. The plant produces elongated fruit pods 3.5 to 11 centimeters long, containing 54 to 82 small winged seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; orange to yellow flowers and variable habitats
Habitat and range
California counties: Los Angeles, San Diego, Kern, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Fresno, Mariposa, Modoc, Monterey, Orange, Placer, San Mateo, Siskiyou, Tulare, Tehama, Tuolumne, El Dorado, Inyo, Kings, Mono, Ventura, Nevada, Shasta, Sierra, Solano, Colusa, San Benito, Contra Costa, Plumas, Santa Barbara, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, Humboldt, Glenn, Alameda, Del Norte, Marin, Lake, Trinity, Mendocino, Yuba, Madera, Sutter, Butte, Santa Cruz, Stanislaus, Lassen, Napa, Amador, San Francisco, Calaveras, Alpine, Sonoma, Yolo, Merced
Frequently asked questions
Is Erysimum capitatum native to California?
Yes. Erysimum capitatum is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Erysimum capitatum grow?
Erysimum capitatum occurs in Los Angeles, San Diego, Kern, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Fresno, Mariposa and other counties.
What plant family does Erysimum capitatum belong to?
Erysimum capitatum is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Erysimum.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Erysimum capitatum var. angustatum — Contra Costa wallflower
- Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum — Sanddune wallflower
- Erysimum capitatum var. lompocense — San Luis Obispo wallflower
- Erysimum capitatum var. purshii — Pursh's wallflower
- Erysimum cheiranthoides — Wormseed mustard
- Erysimum cheiri — Aegean wallflower
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.