Smelowskia ovalis
Alpine false candytuft
(c) Brian Finzel, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Smelowskia ovalis (Alpine false candytuft) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by Arctic-alpine disjunct species, the southernmost population of a primarily northern genus, adapted to extreme high-elevation conditions.
Alpine false candytuft is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the Lassen Peak region of the Cascade Range in high alpine talus, moraines, and rock crevices at elevations of 1,500 to 3,350 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces white to pink flowers 3.5 to 4.5 millimeters long with delicate petals. Growing with multiple stems 3 to 18 centimeters tall, emerging from a several-branched deep root system and densely covered with a mixture of simple and branched hairs. Its basal leaves are pinnately divided, obovate to ovate in outline, with small obovate segments 2 to 10 millimeters long, becoming smaller and more reduced toward the stem's upper portions. The small ovoid fruit is 2 to 6 millimeters long, containing 4 to 8 oblong seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Arctic-alpine disjunct species, the southernmost population of a primarily northern genus, adapted to extreme high-elevation conditions
Habitat and range
Habitat: Loose talus, mica schist, moraines, rock crevices
Elevation: 1500-3350 m
California counties: Shasta
Outside California: to British Columbia
Bloom period
Smelowskia ovalis blooms Jul-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Lobularia: Smelowskia has divided fern-like leaves; Lobularia has simple narrow undivided leaves.; vs Polemonium: Smelowskia has 4-petaled mustard flowers; Polemonium has 5-petaled tubular flowers.; vs Lyrocarpa: Smelowskia is alpine with soft divided leaves; Lyrocarpa is desert with simple leaves.; vs Polyctenium: Smelowskia has soft fleshy leaf segments; Polyctenium has rigid narrow leaf segments.; vs Descurainia: Smelowskia is perennial with white-lavender flowers; Descurainia is annual with yellow flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Smelowskia ovalis native to California?
Yes. Smelowskia ovalis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Smelowskia ovalis bloom?
Smelowskia ovalis blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Smelowskia ovalis grow?
Smelowskia ovalis occurs in Shasta, at elevations of 1500-3350 m.
What plant family does Smelowskia ovalis belong to?
Smelowskia ovalis is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Smelowskia.
Is Smelowskia ovalis rare or endangered?
Smelowskia ovalis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.