Physaria occidentalis subsp. occidentalis
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Physaria occidentalis subsp. occidentalis is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Western bladderpod is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, high Cascade Range, northern Sierra Nevada, and Modoc Plateau in gravelly soils, talus, ridges, and volcanic areas at elevations of 600 to 3,350 meters. Flowering from April to August, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with spoon-shaped petals 7 to 9 millimeters long. Growing with prostrate to erect stems 3 to 15 centimeters tall, it is densely hairy throughout. Its basal leaves are round to obovate, 1 to 8 centimeters long with wavy or entire margins, while stem leaves are smaller, oblanceolate, and sessile. The fruit is an ellipsoid pod 6 to 9 millimeters long, densely hairy on the outside and compressed parallel to its septum.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravelly soils, talus, ridges, barren hillsides, volcanic rocks, decomposed limestone, schist
Elevation: 600-3350 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Trinity, Mendocino
Outside California: to Washington, Idaho, Nevada
Bloom period
Physaria occidentalis subsp. occidentalis blooms Apr-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 occidentalis subsp. occidentalis native to California?
Yes. Physaria occidentalis subsp. occidentalis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Physaria occidentalis subsp. occidentalis bloom?
Physaria occidentalis subsp. occidentalis blooms Apr-Aug.
Where in California does Physaria occidentalis subsp. occidentalis grow?
Physaria occidentalis subsp. occidentalis occurs in Siskiyou, Trinity, Mendocino, at elevations of 600-3350 m.
What plant family does Physaria occidentalis subsp. occidentalis belong to?
Physaria occidentalis subsp. occidentalis is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Physaria.
What habitat does Physaria occidentalis subsp. occidentalis grow in?
Physaria occidentalis subsp. occidentalis grows in Gravelly soils, talus, ridges, barren hillsides, volcanic rocks, decomposed limestone, schist.
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.