Streptanthus polygaloides subsp. aureus

Golden jewelflower

Streptanthus polygaloides — parent species of Streptanthus polygaloides subsp. aureus

Photo: parent species Streptanthus polygaloides · (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence

Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Annual · Native

Streptanthus polygaloides subsp. aureus (Golden jewelflower) is a native California annual in the Brassicaceae family.

Golden jewelflower is a California native annual found in the central Coast Ranges in gravelly serpentine slopes, roadcuts, serpentine chaparral, and foothill pine/blue oak woodland at elevations of 190 to 740 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces yellow flowers with distinctive petal claws that widen toward the tip. Growing with delicate stems up to 30 centimeters tall, it emerges gracefully from serpentine landscapes. Its leaves are likely narrow and lance-shaped, typical of the jewelflower genus, adapting to the harsh mineral soils of its specialized habitat. The flowers feature yellow sepals that are smooth and glabrous, creating a subtle yet striking appearance against the rocky terrain.

Habitat and range

Habitat: Gravelly serpentine slopes and roadcuts, serpentine chaparral, foothill pine/blue oak woodland

Elevation: 190-740

Bloom period

Streptanthus polygaloides subsp. aureus blooms May-Jul.

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 polygaloides subsp. aureus native to California?

Yes. Streptanthus polygaloides subsp. aureus is native to California (recorded as native).

When does Streptanthus polygaloides subsp. aureus bloom?

Streptanthus polygaloides subsp. aureus blooms May-Jul.

What plant family does Streptanthus polygaloides subsp. aureus belong to?

Streptanthus polygaloides subsp. aureus is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Streptanthus.

What habitat does Streptanthus polygaloides subsp. aureus grow in?

Streptanthus polygaloides subsp. aureus grows in Gravelly serpentine slopes and roadcuts, serpentine chaparral, foothill pine/blue oak woodland.

Related species

Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.

All Streptanthus species · All Brassicaceae

Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos

Last updated 2026-09-15

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