Streptanthus polygaloides subsp. aureus

Golden jewelflower

Family: Brassicaceae · Type: annual · Native

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

Bloom period: May-Jul

Elevation: 190-740

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