Streptanthus morrisonii
Morrison's jewelflower
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Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Streptanthus morrisonii (Morrison's jewelflower) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by distinctive biennial habit with mottled basal leaves.
Morrison's jewelflower is a California native biennial found in central Coast Ranges and northern Outer South Coast Ranges in serpentine barrens, chaparral, and cypress/knobcone-pine woodland at elevations of 150 to 1,100 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces creamy white flowers with brown-purple veins approximately 7 to 10 millimeters long, with delicate petals. Growing 6.5 to 12 meters tall with a simple stem that branches toward the top, it develops distinctive gray-green basal leaves that are often mottled and slightly purple underneath. Its leaves range from oblanceolate to broadly obovate, with basal rosettes that are dentate or wavy and fleshy, while mid-stem leaves are broadly ovate to narrowly lanceolate and sessile. The fruit develops as an erect to spreading pod 2.5 to 8 centimeters long, with seeds that are 1.5 to 2 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; distinctive biennial habit with mottled basal leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine barrens, chaparral, cypress/knobcone-pine woodland
Elevation: 150-1100 m
California counties: Lake, Colusa, Napa, Sonoma, Monterey
Bloom period
Streptanthus morrisonii blooms May-Sep.
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 morrisonii native to California?
Yes. Streptanthus morrisonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Streptanthus morrisonii bloom?
Streptanthus morrisonii blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Streptanthus morrisonii grow?
Streptanthus morrisonii occurs in Lake, Colusa, Napa, Sonoma, Monterey, at elevations of 150-1100 m.
What plant family does Streptanthus morrisonii belong to?
Streptanthus morrisonii is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Streptanthus.
What habitat does Streptanthus morrisonii grow in?
Streptanthus morrisonii grows in Serpentine barrens, chaparral, cypress/knobcone-pine woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Streptanthus oliganthus — Masonic mountain jewelflower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.