Erysimum capitatum var. purshii
Pursh's wallflower
(c) Walter Siegmund, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Erysimum capitatum var. purshii (Pursh's wallflower) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by high elevation habitat and wingless seeds distinguish from var. capitatum.
Pursh's wallflower is a California native perennial found in the southern eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains in meadows, dry slopes, and hillsides at elevations up to 4,000 meters. Flowering from April to September, this plant produces yellow flowers, occasionally with lavender or purple hues. Growing with erect stems, it develops basal leaves with distinctive two- or three-rayed adaxial hairs. Its leaves are arranged with proximal cauline leaves showing characteristic branched hairs, giving the plant a unique texture. The fruits are distinctively four-angled, running flat parallel to the plant's central septum.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; high elevation habitat and wingless seeds distinguish from var. capitatum
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, dry slopes, hillsides
Elevation: < 4000 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono, Siskiyou, Sierra, Modoc, Los Angeles, San Diego
Outside California: to Alaska, Wyoming, Texas, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Erysimum capitatum var. purshii blooms Apr-Sep.
Frequently asked questions
Is Erysimum capitatum var. purshii native to California?
Yes. Erysimum capitatum var. purshii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erysimum capitatum var. purshii bloom?
Erysimum capitatum var. purshii blooms Apr-Sep.
Where in California does Erysimum capitatum var. purshii grow?
Erysimum capitatum var. purshii occurs in Inyo, Mono, Siskiyou, Sierra, Modoc, Los Angeles, San Diego, at elevations of < 4000 m.
What plant family does Erysimum capitatum var. purshii belong to?
Erysimum capitatum var. purshii is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Erysimum.
What habitat does Erysimum capitatum var. purshii grow in?
Erysimum capitatum var. purshii grows in Meadows, dry slopes, hillsides.
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.