Streptanthus diversifolius
Varied-leaved jewelflower
(c) marlin harms, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Streptanthus diversifolius (Varied-leaved jewelflower) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by thread-like leaf segments and reflexed pods diagnostic.
Varied-leaved jewelflower is a California native annual found in northern Sierra Nevada Foothills and central Sierra Nevada in open woodland and rocky slopes at elevations of 200 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces pale yellow to white flowers with purple veins, approximately 8 to 16 millimeters long with crinkled petals. Growing with erect, branched stems 20 to 90 centimeters tall, it develops distinctive pinnately divided leaves with thread-like segments. Its basal leaves are intricately divided, with mid-cauline leaves having segments 0.4 to 2.7 centimeters long and less than 1.5 millimeters wide, while upper cauline leaves become lance-linear to ovate and sessile. The fruit develops as a long, slender pod 3 to 9 centimeters in length, containing 38 to 80 small oblong seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species; thread-like leaf segments and reflexed pods diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open woodland, rocky slopes
Elevation: 200-1900 m
California counties: Fresno, Madera, Tulare, Tuolumne, Mariposa, El Dorado, Butte
Bloom period
Streptanthus diversifolius 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 diversifolius native to California?
Yes. Streptanthus diversifolius is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Streptanthus diversifolius bloom?
Streptanthus diversifolius blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Streptanthus diversifolius grow?
Streptanthus diversifolius occurs in Fresno, Madera, Tulare, Tuolumne, Mariposa, El Dorado, Butte, at elevations of 200-1900 m.
What plant family does Streptanthus diversifolius belong to?
Streptanthus diversifolius is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Streptanthus.
What habitat does Streptanthus diversifolius grow in?
Streptanthus diversifolius grows in Open woodland, rocky slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. arkii — Kruckeberg's 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.