Rorippa palustris subsp. hispida
Photo: parent species Rorippa palustris · (c) Нурхайдарова Татьяна, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Rorippa palustris subsp. hispida is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by dense bristly hairs distinguish it from other subspecies and species.
Marsh yellow-cress is a California native perennial found in the Modoc Plateau in generally wet places at elevations of 1,200 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces pale yellow flowers in small clusters. Growing with stems densely covered in stiff bristles, it reaches heights typical of wetland herbs. Its leaves are also densely bristly, particularly on the undersides, giving the plant a distinctly rough texture. The stems and foliage create a bristly, somewhat prickly appearance characteristic of this wetland-dwelling herb.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; dense bristly hairs distinguish it from other subspecies and species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally wet places
Elevation: 1200-1500 m
Outside California: North America
Bloom period
Rorippa palustris subsp. hispida blooms Jun-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Barbarea: Rorippa stems stay round and smooth; Barbarea stems develop distinct ridges or angles you can feel.; vs Sisymbrium: Rorippa has a simple rounded stigma tip; Sisymbrium's stigma is clearly two-lobed.; vs Nasturtium: Rorippa pods are short and plump; Nasturtium pods are elongated and curved like tiny bananas.; vs Hirschfeldia: Rorippa grows in wet areas with rounded pods; Hirschfeldia prefers dry disturbed sites with beaked pods.; vs Cystopteris: Rorippa has yellow four-petaled flowers and seed pods; Cystopteris is a fern with no flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rorippa palustris subsp. hispida native to California?
Yes. Rorippa palustris subsp. hispida is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Rorippa palustris subsp. hispida bloom?
Rorippa palustris subsp. hispida blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Rorippa palustris subsp. hispida belong to?
Rorippa palustris subsp. hispida is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Rorippa.
What habitat does Rorippa palustris subsp. hispida grow in?
Rorippa palustris subsp. hispida grows in Generally wet places.
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.