Physaria kingii subsp. latifolia
Photo: parent species Physaria kingii · (c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Physaria kingii subsp. latifolia is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by round-acute fruit tip and perennial habit distinctive.
Kings bladderpod is a California native perennial found in the Desert Mountains in gravelly soil, limestone outcrops, ridges, and canyon bottoms within pinyon and juniper woodlands at elevations of 1,500 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces delicate yellow flowers in small clusters. Growing with stems 15 to 45 centimeters tall, it forms a compact and sturdy habit. Its leaves are broadly shaped, clustered near the base of the plant, with a dense and slightly waxy texture. The fruit develops with round-acute tips and contains 8 to 16 seeds, with a distinctive style measuring 2.5 to 6 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; round-acute fruit tip and perennial habit distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravelly soil, limestone outcrops, ridges, canyon bottoms, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 1500-2500 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono
Outside California: to Utah, Baja California
Bloom period
Physaria kingii subsp. latifolia blooms May-Jun.
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 kingii subsp. latifolia native to California?
Yes. Physaria kingii subsp. latifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Physaria kingii subsp. latifolia bloom?
Physaria kingii subsp. latifolia blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Physaria kingii subsp. latifolia grow?
Physaria kingii subsp. latifolia occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono, at elevations of 1500-2500 m.
What plant family does Physaria kingii subsp. latifolia belong to?
Physaria kingii subsp. latifolia is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Physaria.
What habitat does Physaria kingii subsp. latifolia grow in?
Physaria kingii subsp. latifolia grows in Gravelly soil, limestone outcrops, ridges, canyon bottoms, 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.