Streptanthus anomalus
Mount burdell jewelflower
no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Streptanthus anomalus (Mount burdell jewelflower) is a native California annual in the Brassicaceae family.
Mount burdell jewelflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in grassy openings of oak woodland on serpentine landscapes at elevations of 50 to 115 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white to pale purple flowers with delicate, crinkled petals in asymmetrical clusters. Growing with erect stems 15 to 40 centimeters tall, it develops from a basal rosette with distinctively hairy lower portions. Its leaves range from oblanceolate basal rosette leaves 3 to 5 centimeters long with toothed, ciliate margins to smaller ovate upper leaves that clasp the stem. The fruit develops as a slender pod 4 to 7 centimeters long, bearing 30 to 40 narrow, winged seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated with 0 sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassy openings in oak woodland, on serpentine
Elevation: 50-115 m
California counties: Marin
Bloom period
Streptanthus anomalus blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
How to tell it apart
vs Caulanthus: Seed pods are flattened like sword blades versus cylindrical tubes in Caulanthus.; vs Boechera: Robust plants often over 2.5 feet with large flowers (sepals 4-8mm) versus more delicate habit.; vs Claytonia: Mustard family with 4 petals and 6 stamens versus Claytonia with 5 petals.; vs Silene: Mustard family with seed pods versus Silene with inflated capsules and opposite leaves.; vs Lonicera: Herbaceous mustard with alternate leaves versus woody vine with opposite leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Streptanthus anomalus native to California?
Yes. Streptanthus anomalus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Streptanthus anomalus bloom?
Streptanthus anomalus blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Streptanthus anomalus grow?
Streptanthus anomalus occurs in Marin, at elevations of 50-115 m.
What plant family does Streptanthus anomalus belong to?
Streptanthus anomalus is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Streptanthus.
Is Streptanthus anomalus rare or endangered?
Streptanthus anomalus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Streptanthus barbatus — Pacific jewelflower
- Streptanthus barbiger — Bearded jewelflower
- Streptanthus batrachopus — Tamalpais jewelflower
- Streptanthus bernardinus — Laguna mountains jewelflower
- Streptanthus brachiatus — Socrates mine jewelflower
- Streptanthus brachiatus ssp. brachiatus — Socrates Mine jewel-flower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.