Erysimum teretifolium
Santa cruz wallflower, Santa Cruz Wallflower
no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Erysimum teretifolium (Santa cruz wallflower) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by thread-like cylindric leaves are unique in the genus.
Santa cruz wallflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in southwestern Santa Cruz Mountains in sandy coastal-sage scrub and chaparral areas at elevations of 100 to 400 meters. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces yellow-orange to yellow flowers approximately 15 to 20 millimeters long with distinctive wide petals. Growing with erect stems 2.5 to 8 meters tall, it develops a woody caudex and spreads with slender branching structure. Its leaves are uniquely thread-like and cylindrical, approximately 0.3 to 3 millimeters wide, with finely toothed margins and two- to three-rayed hairs. The fruit develops as a slender pod 7 to 12 centimeters long with prominent midveins and seeds nestled in narrow chambers.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; thread-like cylindric leaves are unique in the genus
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy areas in coastal-sage scrub or chaparral
Elevation: 100-400 m
California counties: Santa Cruz, Alameda, Monterey, Mariposa, Trinity, San Luis Obispo
Bloom period
Erysimum teretifolium blooms Feb-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Frequently asked questions
Is Erysimum teretifolium native to California?
Yes. Erysimum teretifolium is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erysimum teretifolium bloom?
Erysimum teretifolium blooms Feb-May.
Where in California does Erysimum teretifolium grow?
Erysimum teretifolium occurs in Santa Cruz, Alameda, Monterey, Mariposa, Trinity, San Luis Obispo, at elevations of 100-400 m.
What plant family does Erysimum teretifolium belong to?
Erysimum teretifolium is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Erysimum.
Is Erysimum teretifolium rare or endangered?
Erysimum teretifolium carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Erysimum capitatum var. purshii — Pursh's wallflower
- Euclidium sp.
- Euclidium syriacum — Syrian mustard
- Halimolobos jaegeri — Jaeger's halimolobos
- Halimolobos sp.
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.