Erysimum suffrutescens
Suffrutescent wallflower
(c) T. J. Samojedny, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Erysimum suffrutescens (Suffrutescent wallflower) is a native California perennial in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by tallest coastal wallflower with narrowest leaves and woody base.
Suffrutescent wallflower is a California native perennial ranked 4.2 by CNPS, found in southern Central Coast and northern Southern California coastal regions in stabilized coastal sand dunes and coastal scrub at elevations below 150 meters. Flowering from December to August, this plant produces vibrant yellow flowers with petals 14 to 20 millimeters long and 4 to 11.5 millimeters wide. Growing with a woody base and reaching 1.5 to 8.1 decimeters tall, it forms a distinctive subshrub with ascending stems. Its narrow leaves are linear to linear oblanceolate, 1.5 to 6 millimeters wide, covered in distinctive 2 to 4-rayed hairs and growing entire or with minute teeth. The plant produces elongated fruits 3 to 8.4 centimeters long, with 4-angled or slightly flattened seed pods bearing numerous small seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; tallest coastal wallflower with narrowest leaves and woody base
Habitat and range
Habitat: Stabilized coastal sand dunes, coastal scrub
Elevation: < 150 m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura
Bloom period
Erysimum suffrutescens blooms Dec-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
Frequently asked questions
Is Erysimum suffrutescens native to California?
Yes. Erysimum suffrutescens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erysimum suffrutescens bloom?
Erysimum suffrutescens blooms Dec-Aug.
Where in California does Erysimum suffrutescens grow?
Erysimum suffrutescens occurs in Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, at elevations of < 150 m.
What plant family does Erysimum suffrutescens belong to?
Erysimum suffrutescens is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Erysimum.
Is Erysimum suffrutescens rare or endangered?
Erysimum suffrutescens carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Erysimum teretifolium — Santa cruz wallflower
- Erysimum ammophilum — Sand-loving wallflower
- Erysimum capitatum — Western wallflower
- Erysimum capitatum var. angustatum — Contra Costa wallflower
- Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum — Sanddune wallflower
- Erysimum capitatum var. lompocense — San Luis Obispo wallflower
- Euclidium sp.
- Euclidium syriacum — Syrian mustard
- Halimolobos jaegeri — Jaeger's halimolobos
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.