Erysimum franciscanum
San francisco wallflower, San Francisco Wallflower
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Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Erysimum franciscanum (San francisco wallflower) is a native California subshrub in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by subshrub habit with woody base distinguishes from herbaceous species.
San francisco wallflower is a California native shrub ranked 4.2 by CNPS, found in northern coastal California including San Francisco Bay Area and northern central coastal regions in serpentine outcrops, coastal scrub, sand dunes, and granitic hillsides at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from January to April, this plant produces yellow to cream flowers with petals 14 to 29 millimeters long and 5 to 12 millimeters wide. Growing with woody-based stems 0.6 to 5 meters tall, it displays distinctive multiple-rayed hairs on its foliage. Its leaves are oblanceolate to oblanceolate-linear, 2 to 16 millimeters wide, covered with 2 to 3-rayed hairs. The fruit develops into elongated pods 4 to 11 centimeters long with 32 to 64 narrow-winged seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; subshrub habit with woody base distinguishes from herbaceous species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine outcrops, coastal scrub or sand dunes, granitic hillsides
Elevation: < 500 m
California counties: Marin, San Mateo, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Santa Clara
Bloom period
Erysimum franciscanum blooms Jan-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
Frequently asked questions
Is Erysimum franciscanum native to California?
Yes. Erysimum franciscanum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erysimum franciscanum bloom?
Erysimum franciscanum blooms Jan-Apr.
Where in California does Erysimum franciscanum grow?
Erysimum franciscanum occurs in Marin, San Mateo, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Santa Clara, at elevations of < 500 m.
What plant family does Erysimum franciscanum belong to?
Erysimum franciscanum is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Erysimum.
Is Erysimum franciscanum rare or endangered?
Erysimum franciscanum 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 · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · 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.