Raphanus sativus
Radish, Radish
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Raphanus sativus (Radish) is a non-native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by (R. raphanistrum). Clear separation based on fruit morphology and plant stature.
Radish is a naturalized annual found in California's Central Valley and Coastal regions in disturbed areas and fields at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white to pink flowers 15 to 25 millimeters long with delicate petals. Growing with branched stems reaching 1 to 4 meters tall, it develops sparsely hairy to smooth green foliage. Its distinctive leaves are lyre-shaped or pinnately divided, with 1 to 12 lateral lobes that are broadly toothed and can reach up to 60 centimeters long. The fruit develops as a distinctive fusiform pod with a corky terminal segment that can extend 3 to 15 centimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species (R. raphanistrum). Clear separation based on fruit morphology and plant stature.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas, fields
Elevation: < 1500 m
California counties: Riverside, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Butte, Del Norte, Fresno, Humboldt, Mariposa, Monterey, Orange, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Trinity, Santa Barbara, Siskiyou, Alameda, Amador, Contra Costa, Lake, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, Sutter, Colusa, Kern, Placer, Sacramento, Calaveras, El Dorado, Yolo, Glenn, Yuba, Kings, Plumas, Marin, Mendocino, Tulare, Tuolumne, Nevada, Stanislaus, Napa, Shasta
Outside California: North America, temperate worldwide, native to Mediterranean Europe
Bloom period
Raphanus sativus blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
How to tell it apart
vs Cakile: Radish is hairy throughout; sea rocket is smooth and hairless.; vs Cardamine: Radish pods are thick and corky; bitter cress pods are thin and papery.; vs Eruca: Radish pods are thick and don't split; arugula pods are thin and split open.; vs Mutarda: Radish pods break into segments; mustard pods split lengthwise along seams.; vs Diplotaxis: Radish pods are corky and indehiscent; wall rocket pods are thin and split open.
Frequently asked questions
Is Raphanus sativus native to California?
No. Raphanus sativus is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Raphanus sativus bloom?
Raphanus sativus blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Raphanus sativus grow?
Raphanus sativus occurs in Riverside, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Butte, Del Norte and other counties, at elevations of < 1500 m.
What plant family does Raphanus sativus belong to?
Raphanus sativus is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Raphanus.
Is Raphanus sativus invasive in California?
Raphanus sativus is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
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.