Streptanthus cordatus var. cordatus
Heartleaf jewelflower
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Streptanthus cordatus var. cordatus (Heartleaf jewelflower) is a native California subshrub in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by heart-shaped leaves and wide pods diagnostic.
Heartleaf jewelflower is a California native perennial found in eastern California Ranges, Great Basin, and eastern Desert Mountains in rocky sagebrush scrub, pinyon and juniper woodland, and talus areas at elevations of 1,200 to 3,100 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces white to purple flowers with distinctive heart-shaped leaves. Growing with erect stems up to 50 centimeters tall, it develops a robust structure with basal and cauline leaves of varying shapes. Its leaves range from obovate and spoon-shaped at the base to broadly oblong or nearly round on the stem, with obtuse to rounded tips. The fruits are narrow, ranging from 2.5 to 6 millimeters wide, with a stigma that can be entire or prominently two-lobed.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; heart-shaped leaves and wide pods diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Rocky, sandy sagebrush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland, talus, calcareous outcrops
Elevation: 1200-3100 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono, Tulare, Kern, San Bernardino, Modoc, Alpine, Butte, Plumas, San Diego, Lassen, Sierra
Outside California: to southeastern Oregon, Wyoming, northern New Mexico
Bloom period
Streptanthus cordatus var. cordatus blooms Apr-Jul.
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 var. cordatus native to California?
Yes. Streptanthus cordatus var. cordatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Streptanthus cordatus var. cordatus bloom?
Streptanthus cordatus var. cordatus blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Streptanthus cordatus var. cordatus grow?
Streptanthus cordatus var. cordatus occurs in Inyo, Mono, Tulare, Kern, San Bernardino, Modoc, Alpine, Butte and other counties, at elevations of 1200-3100 m.
What plant family does Streptanthus cordatus var. cordatus belong to?
Streptanthus cordatus var. cordatus is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Streptanthus.
What habitat does Streptanthus cordatus var. cordatus grow in?
Streptanthus cordatus var. cordatus grows in Common. Rocky, sandy sagebrush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland, talus, calcareous outcrops.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Streptanthus glandulosus — Bristly 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.