Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. pulchellus

Mount tamalpais bristly jewelflower, Mount Tamalpais Bristly Jewelflower

Family: Brassicaceae · Type: annual · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2

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.

Habitat: Dry, open grassland, chaparral, open conifer/oak woodland, occasionally on serpentine

Bloom period: May-Jun

Elevation: 150-800 m

Bioregions: nw SnFrB (Marin Co.).

California counties: Marin

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.