Physaria cordiformis
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Physaria cordiformis is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Heart-shaped physary is a California native perennial found in the White and Inyo Mountains in steep hillsides, juniper and sagebrush areas, and Bristlecone-pine forests at elevations of 3,200 to 3,660 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces delicate pale yellow or white flowers 7 to 8.5 millimeters long with obovate to oblanceolate petals. Growing with prostrate to decumbent stems 5 to 15 centimeters tall, it has a densely hairy simple or branched caudex. Its basal leaves are 2 to 4 centimeters long, deltate to elliptic, while cauline leaves are 1 to 2 centimeters long and 3 to 6 millimeters wide, oblanceolate to linear. The fruit is distinctively wider than long, obcordate, and slightly inflated with a notched or truncate tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Steep hillsides, dry sandy, gravelly soils, juniper and sagebrush areas, rocky ridges, Bristlecone-pine forest
Elevation: 3200-3660 m
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Physaria cordiformis blooms May-Aug.
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 cordiformis native to California?
Yes. Physaria cordiformis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Physaria cordiformis bloom?
Physaria cordiformis blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Physaria cordiformis belong to?
Physaria cordiformis is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Physaria.
What habitat does Physaria cordiformis grow in?
Physaria cordiformis grows in Steep hillsides, dry sandy, gravelly soils, juniper and sagebrush areas, rocky ridges, Bristlecone-pine forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.