Streptanthus cordatus var. piutensis
Piute mountains jewelflower, Piute Mountains Jewelflower
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Streptanthus cordatus var. piutensis (Piute mountains jewelflower) is a native California subshrub in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by leaf shape and habitat distinguish from other cordatus forms.
Piute mountains jewelflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada Mountains (Piute Mountains) in open chaparral and Piute-cypress stands at elevations of 1,200 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces delicate flowers with distinctive narrow, pointed petals. Growing with slender stems 20 to 40 centimeters tall, it develops a robust basal rosette. Its leaves are uniquely shaped, with narrow oblanceolate basal leaves tapering to an acuminate tip and mid-stem lanceolate leaves with sharp pointed tips. The fruit is relatively narrow, measuring 3 to 4.5 millimeters wide with a nearly entire stigma.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 20 sympatric species; leaf shape and habitat distinguish from other cordatus forms
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open chaparral, Piute-cypress stands
Elevation: 1200-1700 m
California counties: Kern
Bloom period
Streptanthus cordatus var. piutensis blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 cordatus var. piutensis native to California?
Yes. Streptanthus cordatus var. piutensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Streptanthus cordatus var. piutensis bloom?
Streptanthus cordatus var. piutensis blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Streptanthus cordatus var. piutensis grow?
Streptanthus cordatus var. piutensis occurs in Kern, at elevations of 1200-1700 m.
What plant family does Streptanthus cordatus var. piutensis belong to?
Streptanthus cordatus var. piutensis is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Streptanthus.
Is Streptanthus cordatus var. piutensis rare or endangered?
Streptanthus cordatus var. piutensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Streptanthus diversifolius — Varied-leaved jewelflower
- Streptanthus drepanoides — Sickle-fruit jewelflower
- Streptanthus farnsworthianus — Farnsworth's jewelflower
- Streptanthus fenestratus — Tehipite valley jewelflower
- Streptanthus glandulosus — Bristly jewelflower
- Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. albidus — Metcalf canyon 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.