Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum
Sanddune wallflower
(c) Walter Siegmund, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum (Sanddune wallflower) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by most widespread variety, winged seeds help distinguish from var. purshii.
Sanddune wallflower is a California native perennial found in open areas, alpine zones, deserts, woodlands, sandy areas, and chaparral at elevations up to 4,000 meters. Flowering from March to September, this plant produces distinctive orange to yellow flowers with multi-branched hairs on its leaves. Growing with erect stems, it forms clumps in varied landscape settings. Its basal and lower stem leaves feature characteristic three-rayed hairs, giving the plant a unique texture and appearance. The fruit develops as a flat, four-angled pod with small seeds bearing winged tips.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; most widespread variety, winged seeds help distinguish from var. purshii
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Open areas, alpine, deserts, woodland, sandy areas, chaparral
Elevation: < 4000 m
California counties: Alameda, Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Fresno, Kern, Lake, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, Placer, Riverside, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Stanislaus, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura, Yolo, Contra Costa, Lassen, Inyo, Mono, Plumas, Santa Cruz, Solano, El Dorado, Nevada, Yuba, Alpine, Calaveras, Modoc, Glenn, Tehama, Sutter, Merced, San Joaquin, Orange, Humboldt, Sonoma, Mariposa, Kings
Outside California: western North America
Bloom period
Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum blooms Mar-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
Frequently asked questions
Is Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum native to California?
Yes. Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum bloom?
Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum blooms Mar-Sep.
Where in California does Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum grow?
Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum occurs in Alameda, Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Fresno, Kern, Lake, Los Angeles and other counties, at elevations of < 4000 m.
What plant family does Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum belong to?
Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Erysimum.
Is Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum rare or endangered?
Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.