Streptanthus juneae
June's jewelflower
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Streptanthus juneae (June's jewelflower) is a native California perennial in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by distinctive perennial habit and bicolored petals.
June's jewelflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in conifer forest and montane chaparral on granitic soils at elevations of 1,980 to 2,370 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces distinctive flowers with light green to yellow bases and dark purple petals, set against gray-green to dark green leathery leaves. Growing with ascending stems 22 to 56 centimeters tall, the plant develops a woody caudex and can be simple or branched near its base. Its leaves range from ovate to spoon-shaped, with basal leaves 3.5 to 10.4 centimeters long and margins sparsely serrate to dentate, while cauline leaves gradually reduce in size moving up the stem. The fruit develops as an erect to spreading silique 7.3 to 14.1 centimeters long, often gently curved and glabrous.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinctive perennial habit and bicolored petals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open areas in conifer forest and montane chaparral, on granitic soils
Elevation: 1980-2370 m
Bloom period
Streptanthus juneae blooms Jun-Aug.
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 juneae native to California?
Yes. Streptanthus juneae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Streptanthus juneae bloom?
Streptanthus juneae blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Streptanthus juneae belong to?
Streptanthus juneae is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Streptanthus.
Is Streptanthus juneae rare or endangered?
Streptanthus juneae carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Streptanthus juneae grow in?
Streptanthus juneae grows in Open areas in conifer forest and montane chaparral, on granitic soils.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Streptanthus longisiliquus — Long-fruit jewelflower
- Streptanthus medeirosii — Tejon jewelflower
- Streptanthus morrisonii — Morrison's jewelflower
- Streptanthus morrisonii ssp. elatus — Three Peaks jewel-flower
- Streptanthus morrisonii ssp. hirtiflorus — Dorr's Cabin jewel-flower
- Streptanthus morrisonii ssp. kruckebergii — Kruckeberg's jewel-flower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.