Streptanthus cordatus
Heartleaf jewelflower
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Streptanthus cordatus (Heartleaf jewelflower) is a native California subshrub in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by Perennial, glaucous, basal-rosetted; stem leaves clasping at heart-shaped base; Great Basin, eastern desert mts & Piute Mtns.
Heartleaf jewelflower is a California native perennial found in serpentine or rocky habitats of the northern Coast Ranges and central Sierra Nevada at elevations of 200 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces purple flowers 9 to 15 millimeters long with narrow petals. Growing with erect stems 10 to 90 centimeters tall, it develops a simple or branched caudex with glaucous green foliage. Its basal leaves are spoon-shaped to narrowly oblanceolate, while mid-stem leaves are broadly oblong to ovate, some with clasping bases and occasional small teeth. The fruit is an ascending silique 5 to 10.5 centimeters long with distinctive purple-tinged green-brown sepals.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Perennial, glaucous, basal-rosetted; stem leaves clasping at heart-shaped base; Great Basin, eastern desert mts & Piute Mtns
Habitat and range
California counties: Inyo, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, San Bernardino, Tulare, Mono, Nevada, Alpine, Sierra, Los Angeles, San Mateo, El Dorado
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 cordatus native to California?
Yes. Streptanthus cordatus is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Streptanthus cordatus grow?
Streptanthus cordatus occurs in Inyo, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, San Bernardino, Tulare, Mono, Nevada and other counties.
What plant family does Streptanthus cordatus belong to?
Streptanthus cordatus is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Streptanthus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Streptanthus cordatus var. cordatus — Heartleaf jewelflower
- Streptanthus cordatus var. piutensis — Piute mountains jewelflower
- Streptanthus diversifolius — Varied-leaved jewelflower
- Streptanthus drepanoides — Sickle-fruit jewelflower
- Streptanthus farnsworthianus — Farnsworth's jewelflower
- Streptanthus fenestratus — Tehipite valley jewelflower
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.