Lyrocarpa coulteri
Coulter's lyrepod
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Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Lyrocarpa coulteri (Coulter's lyrepod) is a native California subshrub in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by Limited to Sonoran Desert bioregion; distinctive fruit morphology unique within California mustard family.
Coulter's lyrepod is a California native perennial found in the southern desert region on dry slopes, gravelly flats, washes, sandy plains, ravines, and granite hillsides at elevations below 1,300 meters. Flowering from September to April, this plant produces white to pale yellow flowers with petals 1.6 to 2.5 centimeters long. Growing with straw-colored woody stems 20 to 90 centimeters tall, it forms a compact subshrub with branching structure. Its lanceolate to ovate leaves range from 2 to 9 centimeters long, with distal leaves becoming less divided and slightly dentate or wavy. The fruit is an obcordate pod 1 to 2.5 centimeters long, bearing 6 to 16 round seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Limited to Sonoran Desert bioregion; distinctive fruit morphology unique within California mustard family
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry slopes, gravelly flats, washes, sandy plains, ravines, granite hillsides
Elevation: < 1300 m
California counties: San Diego, Ventura, Imperial, San Bernardino
Outside California: Arizona, Baja California
Bloom period
Lyrocarpa coulteri blooms Sep-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Polyctenium: Lyrocarpa has heart-shaped notched pods; Polyctenium has narrow cylindrical pods.; vs Smelowskia: Lyrocarpa is a desert plant with heart-shaped pods; Smelowskia is alpine with narrow pods.; vs Descurainia: Lyrocarpa has broad heart-shaped pods; Descurainia has thin cylindrical pods in clusters.; vs Hornungia: Lyrocarpa has large heart-shaped pods (5-10mm); Hornungia has tiny oval pods (2-3mm).; vs Draba: Lyrocarpa has distinctly heart-shaped notched pods; Draba has oval to elliptical pods without notches.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lyrocarpa coulteri native to California?
Yes. Lyrocarpa coulteri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lyrocarpa coulteri bloom?
Lyrocarpa coulteri blooms Sep-Apr.
Where in California does Lyrocarpa coulteri grow?
Lyrocarpa coulteri occurs in San Diego, Ventura, Imperial, San Bernardino, at elevations of < 1300 m.
What plant family does Lyrocarpa coulteri belong to?
Lyrocarpa coulteri is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Lyrocarpa.
Is Lyrocarpa coulteri rare or endangered?
Lyrocarpa coulteri carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
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 · 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.