Stanleya elata
Panamint princesplume
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jim Morefield · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Stanleya elata (Panamint princesplume) is a native California subshrub in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by . Key distinguishing feature is entire vs pinnately lobed leaves.
Panamint princesplume is a California native perennial found in the southern eastern desert mountains and desert mountains in rocky canyon scrub at elevations of 1,000 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces yellow to white flowers in dense elongated clusters with narrow petals 8 to 13 millimeters long. Growing with erect glaucous stems 60 to 180 centimeters tall, it develops a robust structure with simple or few-branched growth. Its leaves are broadly lanceolate or oblong, ranging from 8 to 21 centimeters long, with entire margins and gradually smaller leaves ascending the stem. The distinctive fruit develops 4 to 9 centimeters long with spreading to reflexed pedicels, supporting numerous small seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species. Key distinguishing feature is entire vs pinnately lobed leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Among boulders in canyons, scrub
Elevation: 1000-2500 m
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino, Mono, Lassen
Outside California: Nevada, Arizona
Bloom period
Stanleya elata blooms May-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Thelypodium: Flower stalks are dramatically longer (quarter-inch plus) versus barely visible in Thelypodium.; vs Caulanthus: Petals are large (over 1 inch) and yellow-white versus smaller and purple-white in Caulanthus.; vs Barbarea: Tall desert perennial with bottlebrush flower spikes versus streambank plant with angular stems.; vs Rorippa: Large showy flowers on long stalks versus tiny flowers on short stalks in wet habitats.; vs Conringia: Dramatic bottlebrush flower spikes versus compact flower clusters with clasping leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Stanleya elata native to California?
Yes. Stanleya elata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stanleya elata bloom?
Stanleya elata blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Stanleya elata grow?
Stanleya elata occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, Mono, Lassen, at elevations of 1000-2500 m.
What plant family does Stanleya elata belong to?
Stanleya elata is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Stanleya.
What habitat does Stanleya elata grow in?
Stanleya elata grows in Among boulders in canyons, scrub.
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.