Streptanthus medeirosii
Tejon jewelflower
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Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Streptanthus medeirosii (Tejon jewelflower) is a native California perennial in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by distinctive perennial with glaucous leaves.
Tejon jewelflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in lower montane forest habitats with steep rocky slopes in carbonite or granitic areas at elevations of 1,600 to 1,850 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces light green to cream flowers with maroon to dark purple tips, creating a striking color contrast against its glaucous foliage. Growing 24 to 50 centimeters tall with ascending, branched stems, it develops a distinctive glabrous and glaucous appearance. Its leathery leaves range from light gray-green to dark green, with basal leaves 2.2 to 8.2 centimeters long, obovate to spoon-shaped, and cauline leaves becoming narrower and more lanceolate up the stem. The fruit develops as an erect to ascending silique 5.5 to 10.4 centimeters long, with straight to slightly curved valves.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinctive perennial with glaucous leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Lower montane forest, steep rocky slopes or rock outcrops of carbonates or granitics
Elevation: 1600-1850 m
Bloom period
Streptanthus medeirosii blooms Jun-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 medeirosii native to California?
Yes. Streptanthus medeirosii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Streptanthus medeirosii bloom?
Streptanthus medeirosii blooms Jun-Sep.
What plant family does Streptanthus medeirosii belong to?
Streptanthus medeirosii is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Streptanthus.
Is Streptanthus medeirosii rare or endangered?
Streptanthus medeirosii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Streptanthus medeirosii grow in?
Streptanthus medeirosii grows in Lower montane forest, steep rocky slopes or rock outcrops of carbonates or granitics.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Streptanthus morrisonii ssp. morrisonii — Morrison's jewel-flower
- Streptanthus oblanceolatus — Trinity river jewelflower
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.