Lepidium lasiocarpum subsp. lasiocarpum
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lepidium lasiocarpum subsp. lasiocarpum is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by 2 stamens, stiff-hairy fruits, flattened pedicels.
Lepidium lasiocarpum is a California native annual found in southwestern, western and inner coast ranges, and desert bioregions in dry flats, washes, streambeds, and sagebrush scrub at elevations of 50 to 2,700 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces small white flowers on much-elongated inflorescences with spreading stiff-hairy branches. Growing 6 to 38 centimeters tall with erect to decumbent stems that branch toward the top, it emerges in clusters of one to several plants from the base. Its leaves range from spoon-shaped to oblanceolate, with basal leaves being 1.5 to 4.5 centimeters long and pinnately lobed, while mid-stem leaves are shorter and less divided. The fruit is a flattened ovate pod with a small winged tip, typically 3 to 4 millimeters long and covered in stiff spreading hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 22 sympatric species; key features are 2 stamens, stiff-hairy fruits, flattened pedicels
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry flats, washes, streambeds, roadsides, sagebrush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 50-2700 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, Inyo, Los Angeles, Imperial, San Diego, Mono, Kern, Marin, Calaveras
Outside California: to Colorado, Texas, Mexico
Bloom period
Lepidium lasiocarpum subsp. lasiocarpum blooms Mar-Jun.
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 lasiocarpum subsp. lasiocarpum native to California?
Yes. Lepidium lasiocarpum subsp. lasiocarpum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lepidium lasiocarpum subsp. lasiocarpum bloom?
Lepidium lasiocarpum subsp. lasiocarpum blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Lepidium lasiocarpum subsp. lasiocarpum grow?
Lepidium lasiocarpum subsp. lasiocarpum occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, Inyo, Los Angeles, Imperial, San Diego, Mono and other counties, at elevations of 50-2700 m.
What plant family does Lepidium lasiocarpum subsp. lasiocarpum belong to?
Lepidium lasiocarpum subsp. lasiocarpum is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Lepidium.
What habitat does Lepidium lasiocarpum subsp. lasiocarpum grow in?
Lepidium lasiocarpum subsp. lasiocarpum grows in dry flats, washes, streambeds, roadsides, sagebrush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.