Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. pulchellus
Mount tamalpais bristly jewelflower, Mount Tamalpais Bristly Jewelflower
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. pulchellus (Mount tamalpais bristly jewelflower) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family.
Mount tamalpais bristly jewelflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in northwestern San Francisco Bay region in Marin County, specifically in dry, open grassland, chaparral, and open conifer/oak woodland at elevations of 150 to 800 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces rose to lavender or purple flowers 8 to 11 millimeters long with distinctive purple petals. Growing 10 to 37 centimeters tall with densely bristly stems near the base and smooth stems toward the top, it has a delicate and slightly asymmetrical appearance. Its cauline leaves are bristly, with upper leaves remaining entire and showing varied textures along the stem. The fruit curves upward, spreading or ascending, reflecting the plant's elegant and intricate structural design.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated with 0 sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, open grassland, chaparral, open conifer/oak woodland, occasionally on serpentine
Elevation: 150-800 m
California counties: Marin
Bloom period
Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. pulchellus blooms May-Jun.
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 glandulosus subsp. pulchellus native to California?
Yes. Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. pulchellus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. pulchellus bloom?
Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. pulchellus blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. pulchellus grow?
Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. pulchellus occurs in Marin, at elevations of 150-800 m.
What plant family does Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. pulchellus belong to?
Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. pulchellus is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Streptanthus.
Is Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. pulchellus rare or endangered?
Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. pulchellus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. raichei — Raiche's jewelflower
- Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. secundus — One-sided jewelflower
- Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. sonomensis — Uncommon jewelflower
- Streptanthus gracilis — Alpine jewelflower
- Streptanthus hesperidis — Green jewelflower
- Streptanthus hispidus — Mount diablo 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.