Erysimum menziesii
Menzies' wallflower
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Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Erysimum menziesii (Menzies' wallflower) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by spoon-shaped entire to lobed leaves and pod shape change distinguish from toothed-leaf coastal species.
Menzies' wallflower is a rare California native perennial ranked 1B.1 by CNPS, found in the northern and central Coast ranges in coastal dunes, headlands, and cliffs at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from January to August, this plant produces vibrant yellow flowers with petals 15 to 30 millimeters long and 6 to 14 millimeters wide. Growing with slender stems 2 to 25 centimeters tall, it forms a short-lived biennial or perennial habit with distinctive star-shaped hairs. Its leaves are spoon-shaped, 0.5 to 1.5 centimeters wide, ranging from entire to slightly lobed, covered in (2) 3 to 5 (7) branched hairs. The fruit develops into a long cylindrical pod 3 to 14 centimeters in length, with seeds bearing wings that are widest at the tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; spoon-shaped entire to lobed leaves and pod shape change distinguish from toothed-leaf coastal species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal dunes, headlands, cliffs
Elevation: < 300 m
California counties: Humboldt, Mendocino, Monterey, Nevada
Outside California: to southern Oregon
Bloom period
Erysimum menziesii blooms Jan-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Frequently asked questions
Is Erysimum menziesii native to California?
Yes. Erysimum menziesii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erysimum menziesii bloom?
Erysimum menziesii blooms Jan-Aug.
Where in California does Erysimum menziesii grow?
Erysimum menziesii occurs in Humboldt, Mendocino, Monterey, Nevada, at elevations of < 300 m.
What plant family does Erysimum menziesii belong to?
Erysimum menziesii is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Erysimum.
Is Erysimum menziesii rare or endangered?
Erysimum menziesii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
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.