Streptanthus polygaloides subsp. alternans

Tuolumne jewelflower

Family: Brassicaceae · Type: annual · Native

Tuolumne jewelflower is a California native annual found in the Sierra Nevada foothills in gravelly serpentine slopes and roadcuts at elevations of 260 to 780 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces flowers that transform from yellow buds to striking purple blooms with distinctive petal characteristics. Growing with delicate stems reaching upward, the plant develops intricate floral structures with unique adaptations. Its petals feature adaxial claws that widen toward the tip, creating an unusual flower shape with glabrous sepals. The plant's specialized form reflects its adaptation to serpentine chaparral environments, showcasing remarkable morphological details.

Habitat: Gravelly serpentine slopes and roadcuts, serpentine chaparral

Bloom period: May-Jun

Elevation: 260-780 m

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.