Erysimum perenne
Sanddune wallflower
(c) mel letterman, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Erysimum perenne (Sanddune wallflower) is a native California perennial in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by high elevation habitat and constricted pods distinguish from other montane species.
Sanddune wallflower is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, high Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, and northern eastern Sierra Nevada in alpine fell-fields, gravelly ground, and decomposing marble habitats at elevations of 2,000 to 4,000 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with petals 15 to 22 millimeters long and 3.5 to 6 millimeters wide. Growing with stems 40 to 65 centimeters tall, it forms a short woody caudex and spreads with distinctively branched, star-shaped hairs covering its leaves and stems. Its leaves are spoon-shaped to widely oblanceolate, 3 to 10 millimeters wide, and range from nearly entire to slightly toothed. The elongated fruits are 3.8 to 14 centimeters long, flattened, and contain 26 to 44 small ovoid seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; high elevation habitat and constricted pods distinguish from other montane species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Decomposing marble, gravelly ground, talus, granitic sand, alpine fell-fields
Elevation: 2000-4000 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono, Madera, Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Tuolumne, Fresno, Tulare, Nevada, Plumas, Kern, Sierra, Siskiyou, Alpine, Mariposa, Glenn, Trinity, Mendocino, Lassen, Tehama, Modoc, Shasta, Humboldt, Del Norte
Outside California: Oregon, Nevada
Bloom period
Erysimum perenne blooms Jun-Sep.
Frequently asked questions
Is Erysimum perenne native to California?
Yes. Erysimum perenne is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erysimum perenne bloom?
Erysimum perenne blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Erysimum perenne grow?
Erysimum perenne occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono, Madera, Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Tuolumne and other counties, at elevations of 2000-4000 m.
What plant family does Erysimum perenne belong to?
Erysimum perenne is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Erysimum.
What habitat does Erysimum perenne grow in?
Erysimum perenne grows in Decomposing marble, gravelly ground, talus, granitic sand, alpine fell-fields.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.