Streptanthus tortuosus subsp. truei
True's mountain jewelflower
(c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Don Loarie · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Streptanthus tortuosus subsp. truei (True's mountain jewelflower) is a native California perennial in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by sepal size and shape with long-attenuate tips.
True's mountain jewelflower is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in steep rocky habitats at elevations of 704 to 1,263 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces pale yellow flowers 7 to 14 millimeters long with narrowly lanceolate sepals. Growing 24 to 56 centimeters tall with stems emerging from a woody base, sometimes branching near the top, the plant has a distinctive structural form. Its leaves range from oblanceolate basal leaves with serrated edges to broadly ovate mid-stem leaves with pointed, acuminate tips. The plant develops elongated fruits 4 to 11 centimeters long that are slightly arched.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 42 sympatric species; key features are sepal size and shape with long-attenuate tips
Habitat and range
Habitat: Steep rocky slopes and outcrops
Elevation: 704-1263 m
Bloom period
Streptanthus tortuosus subsp. truei blooms Apr-Jun.
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 tortuosus subsp. truei native to California?
Yes. Streptanthus tortuosus subsp. truei is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Streptanthus tortuosus subsp. truei bloom?
Streptanthus tortuosus subsp. truei blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Streptanthus tortuosus subsp. truei belong to?
Streptanthus tortuosus subsp. truei is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Streptanthus.
Is Streptanthus tortuosus subsp. truei rare or endangered?
Streptanthus tortuosus subsp. truei carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1S2.
What habitat does Streptanthus tortuosus subsp. truei grow in?
Streptanthus tortuosus subsp. truei grows in Steep rocky slopes and outcrops.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Streptanthus tortuosus var. foliosus — Wawona jewelflower
- Streptanthus tortuosus var. oblongus — Klamath mountains jewelflower
- Streptanthus tortuosus var. optatus — Sierran foothill jewelflower
- Streptanthus tortuosus var. orbiculatus — High mountain jewelflower
- Streptanthus tortuosus var. pallidus — Pallid jewelflower
- Streptanthus tortuosus var. tortuosus — Mountain jewelflower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.