Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. raichei
Raiche's jewelflower
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. raichei (Raiche's jewelflower) is a native California annual in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by distinctive rose-magenta sepals and reflexed fruits.
Raiche's jewelflower is a California native annual found in serpentine grasslands and roadcuts of the central California Coast Ranges at elevations of 350 to 1,250 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces striking white petals with dark purple veins and midribs, complemented by rose-magenta to purple sepals with green-tinged edges and tips. Growing 20 to 100 centimeters tall with sparsely stiff-hairy stems, the plant has mid-stem leaves less than five times longer than their width. Its flowers feature distinctive upper petals 11.5 to 13.5 millimeters long and lower petals 8.5 to 12 millimeters long, creating an intricate floral display. The fruits are uniquely positioned, curving downward or reflexed from the plant's straight flowering axis.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 19 sympatric species; distinctive rose-magenta sepals and reflexed fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine outcrops and grasslands, roadcuts
Elevation: 350-1250 m
Bloom period
Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. raichei blooms Apr-Jun.
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. raichei native to California?
Yes. Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. raichei is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. raichei bloom?
Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. raichei blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. raichei belong to?
Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. raichei is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Streptanthus.
What habitat does Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. raichei grow in?
Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. raichei grows in Serpentine outcrops and grasslands, roadcuts.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Streptanthus howellii — Howell's jewelflower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-15
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.