Streptanthus fenestratus
Tehipite valley jewelflower, Tehipite Valley Jewelflower
(c) Zac Peterson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Streptanthus fenestratus (Tehipite valley jewelflower) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by rose-purple non-crinkled petals and habitat diagnostic.
Tehipite valley jewelflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada Mountains in Kings River Canyon, Fresno County, on granite ledges and open mixed-conifer/oak woodland at elevations of 1,050 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces rose-purple flowers approximately 9 to 15 millimeters long with distinctive unequal-length stamens. Growing with erect stems 5 to 35 centimeters tall, it can be simple or branched near the base. Its leaves form a basal rosette with pinnately divided structure, featuring mid-stem ovate to lanceolate leaves that are coarsely dentate or entire, with lobed leaf bases. The slender fruits are ascending to spreading, measuring 2 to 5 centimeters long and containing 22 to 38 small oblong seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 20 sympatric species; rose-purple non-crinkled petals and habitat diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Granite ledges, sand, open mixed-conifer/oak woodland
Elevation: 1050-1800 m
California counties: Fresno
Bloom period
Streptanthus fenestratus blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 fenestratus native to California?
Yes. Streptanthus fenestratus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Streptanthus fenestratus bloom?
Streptanthus fenestratus blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Streptanthus fenestratus grow?
Streptanthus fenestratus occurs in Fresno, at elevations of 1050-1800 m.
What plant family does Streptanthus fenestratus belong to?
Streptanthus fenestratus is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Streptanthus.
Is Streptanthus fenestratus rare or endangered?
Streptanthus fenestratus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Streptanthus glandulosus — Bristly jewelflower
- Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. albidus — Metcalf canyon jewelflower
- Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. arkii — Kruckeberg's bristly jewelflower
- Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. glandulosus — most beautiful jewelflower
- Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. hoffmanii — Hoffman's bristly jewelflower
- Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. josephinensis — Josephine county 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.