Streptanthella longirostris
Long beaked twist flower
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Streptanthella longirostris (Long beaked twist flower) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by Western North American species with specialized fruit morphology, representing monotypic genus within Brassicaceae.
Long beaked twist flower is a California native annual found in southern San Joaquin Valley, southern Coast Ranges, Great Basin, and desert regions in sandy soils, desert scrub, woodland, and chaparral at elevations of 50 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces white to pale yellow flowers with purple veins, 4 to 6 millimeters long, with delicate spoon-shaped petals. Growing 2 to 6 meters tall with generally glaucous stems that are glabrous or hairy near the base, it has an upright and slender form. Its lower leaves are lanceolate to oblanceolate and 2 to 5.5 centimeters long, while upper leaves become linear and sessile. The distinctive fruit is a long linear silique 3.5 to 6 centimeters in length, featuring a notable 3.5 to 6 millimeter beak at the tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Western North American species with specialized fruit morphology, representing monotypic genus within Brassicaceae
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common in sandy soils, desert scrub, woodland, slopes, chaparral
Elevation: 50-2200 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Mono, Riverside, San Diego, Modoc, Lassen
Outside California: to Washington, Colorado, New Mexico, Baja California
Bloom period
Streptanthella longirostris blooms Mar-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Sibaropsis: Streptanthella has longest stamens separate and fertile; Sibaropsis has fused sterile stamens (needs magnification).; vs Streptanthus: Streptanthella pods curve sharply backward; Streptanthus pods straight or slightly curved.; vs Caulanthus: Streptanthella pods strongly reflexed and flattened; Caulanthus pods cylindrical and spreading to erect.
Frequently asked questions
Is Streptanthella longirostris native to California?
Yes. Streptanthella longirostris is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Streptanthella longirostris bloom?
Streptanthella longirostris blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Streptanthella longirostris grow?
Streptanthella longirostris occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Mono, Riverside, San Diego and other counties, at elevations of 50-2200 m.
What plant family does Streptanthella longirostris belong to?
Streptanthella longirostris is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Streptanthella.
What habitat does Streptanthella longirostris grow in?
Streptanthella longirostris grows in Common in sandy soils, desert scrub, woodland, slopes, chaparral.
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.