Streptanthus hispidus
Mount diablo jewelflower, Mount Diablo 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.3
Streptanthus hispidus (Mount diablo jewelflower) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by distinctive dense bristly hairs throughout.
Mount diablo jewelflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native annual found in the northeastern San Francisco Bay region on Mount Diablo in rocky chaparral and grassland at elevations of 600 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces light purple flowers with white margins, 6 to 9 millimeters long, growing on a densely bristly plant. Growing 0.3 to 3 decimeters tall with simple or branched stems at the base, it has a distinctive bristly appearance throughout. Its leaves range from obovate basal leaves to mid-stem sessile leaves 0.7 to 6 centimeters long, with coarsely dentate edges and bases that are tapered to truncate. The fruit develops as a spreading-ascending pod 4 to 8.5 centimeters long, covered in bristly hairs with a prominent midvein.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinctive dense bristly hairs throughout
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky chaparral, grassland
Elevation: 600-1200 m
California counties: Contra Costa
Bloom period
Streptanthus hispidus blooms Mar-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 hispidus native to California?
Yes. Streptanthus hispidus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Streptanthus hispidus bloom?
Streptanthus hispidus blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Streptanthus hispidus grow?
Streptanthus hispidus occurs in Contra Costa, at elevations of 600-1200 m.
What plant family does Streptanthus hispidus belong to?
Streptanthus hispidus is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Streptanthus.
Is Streptanthus hispidus rare or endangered?
Streptanthus hispidus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Streptanthus howellii — Howell's jewelflower
- Streptanthus insignis — San benito jewelflower
- Streptanthus insignis subsp. insignis — plumed jewelflower
- Streptanthus insignis subsp. lyonii — Arburua ranch jewelflower
- Streptanthus juneae — June's jewelflower
- Streptanthus longisiliquus — Long-fruit 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.