Lepidium jaredii
Jared's peppergrass
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Lepidium jaredii (Jared's peppergrass) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by NONE sympatric - geographically isolated; lemon yellow flowers distinctive.
Jared's peppergrass is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in southwestern San Joaquin Valley and southeastern South Coast Ranges in alkali bottoms, slopes, and dry hillsides at elevations of 500 to 700 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces lemon yellow to white flowers in delicate clusters, with petals 2.8 to 4 millimeters long. Growing 1 to 6 decimeters tall with erect to ascending stems that branch toward the top, it emerges as one to several plants from its base. Its mid-stem leaves are slender, 2 to 7.5 centimeters long and 0.2 to 1 centimeter wide, tapering to a point and occasionally bearing a few teeth near the tip. The fruit is widely ovate, 3 to 3.8 millimeters long, with smooth valves and a nearly imperceptible notch at the tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: NONE sympatric - geographically isolated; lemon yellow flowers distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alkali bottoms, slopes, washes, dry hillsides, vertic clay, acidic, gypsiferous
Elevation: 500-700 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Humboldt, Fresno, San Benito
Bloom period
Lepidium jaredii blooms Mar-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Capsella: Small round-to-oval pods versus distinctive triangular heart-shaped pods.; vs Cotula: Mustard with seed pods and 4 petals versus composite with disk flowers only.; vs Soliva: Mustard with flattened seed pods versus composite with spiny achenes.; vs Thysanocarpus: Fruits stand upright or spread versus hanging downward in Thysanocarpus.; vs Lobularia: Flattened oval pods with 1-2 seeds versus inflated round pods with 2 seeds.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lepidium jaredii native to California?
Yes. Lepidium jaredii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lepidium jaredii bloom?
Lepidium jaredii blooms Mar-Apr.
Where in California does Lepidium jaredii grow?
Lepidium jaredii occurs in San Luis Obispo, Humboldt, Fresno, San Benito, at elevations of 500-700 m.
What plant family does Lepidium jaredii belong to?
Lepidium jaredii is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Lepidium.
Is Lepidium jaredii rare or endangered?
Lepidium jaredii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1S2.
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
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.