Physaria chambersii
Chambers' physaria, Chambers' Physaria
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Physaria chambersii (Chambers' physaria) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by distinctive spectacle-shaped inflated fruit.
Chambers' physaria is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in northern desert Mountains including Clark and Grapevine Mountains in sagebrush, pinyon/juniper, and limestone habitats at elevations of 1,500 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces pale yellow to white petals 9 to 12 millimeters long in delicate clusters. Growing in dense clumps with silvery-pubescent stems 5 to 15 centimeters long that are generally decumbent, it forms a thick underground caudex. Its basal leaves are 3 to 6 centimeters long, obovate to round, while stem leaves are smaller, spoon-shaped, and entire. The distinctive fruit is spectacle-shaped, greatly inflated into two bladdery, kidney-like halves up to 2 centimeters wide and densely hairy.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; distinctive spectacle-shaped inflated fruit is diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Clay hillsides, sagebrush and pinyon/juniper areas, limestone gravel, dolomite ridges, steep banks
Elevation: 1500-2500 m
California counties: San Bernardino
Outside California: to Oregon, Utah, Arizona
Bloom period
Physaria chambersii blooms Apr-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
How to tell it apart
vs Cleomella: Physaria has 4 petals and inflated pods; Cleomella has 4 petals with long stamens extending far beyond and narrow capsules.; vs Draba: Physaria has consistently silvery webbed star-hairs; Draba has mixed simple and branched hairs creating a rougher texture.; vs Astragalus: Physaria has 4 petals and round cross-shaped flowers; Astragalus has pea-like flowers with banner, wings, and keel.; vs Erysimum: Physaria has inflated bladder fruits and silvery foliage; Erysimum has narrow cylindrical pods and green linear leaves.; vs Eriogonum: Physaria has 4-petaled flowers with visible stamens; Eriogonum has tiny flowers in ball-like clusters with papery bracts below.
Frequently asked questions
Is Physaria chambersii native to California?
Yes. Physaria chambersii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Physaria chambersii bloom?
Physaria chambersii blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Physaria chambersii grow?
Physaria chambersii occurs in San Bernardino, at elevations of 1500-2500 m.
What plant family does Physaria chambersii belong to?
Physaria chambersii is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Physaria.
Is Physaria chambersii rare or endangered?
Physaria chambersii carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S3.
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.