Streptanthus barbiger
Bearded jewelflower
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Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Streptanthus barbiger (Bearded jewelflower) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by narrow linear leaves.
Bearded jewelflower is a California native annual herb ranked 4.2 by CNPS, found in southern North Coast Ranges and North Coast Ranges in serpentine barrens and chaparral at elevations of 200 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces white flowers with purple veins, delicately shaped with distinctive sepals 4 to 6 millimeters long that can be green to purple-tipped. Growing with erect branched stems 1 to 6.7 meters tall, it develops linear to lance-linear leaves that become progressively smaller toward the stem's tip. Its leaves range from 3 to 9 centimeters long and are particularly narrow, measuring just 0.5 to 2 millimeters wide, with an entire leaf margin. The fruit develops as a slender, generally curved pod 2 to 6 centimeters long, spreading out from the plant with tiny seeds nestled within.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 22 sympatric species; narrow linear leaves are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine barrens, chaparral
Elevation: 200-1500 m
California counties: Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Tehama, Napa
Bloom period
Streptanthus barbiger blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 barbiger native to California?
Yes. Streptanthus barbiger is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Streptanthus barbiger bloom?
Streptanthus barbiger blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Streptanthus barbiger grow?
Streptanthus barbiger occurs in Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Tehama, Napa, at elevations of 200-1500 m.
What plant family does Streptanthus barbiger belong to?
Streptanthus barbiger is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Streptanthus.
Is Streptanthus barbiger rare or endangered?
Streptanthus barbiger carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Streptanthus batrachopus — Tamalpais jewelflower
- Streptanthus bernardinus — Laguna mountains jewelflower
- Streptanthus brachiatus — Socrates mine jewelflower
- Streptanthus brachiatus ssp. brachiatus — Socrates Mine jewel-flower
- Streptanthus brachiatus ssp. hoffmanii — Freed's jewel-flower
- Streptanthus breweri — Brewer's jewelflower
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.