Streptanthus tortuosus var. foliosus
Wawona jewelflower
(c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Don Loarie · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Streptanthus tortuosus var. foliosus (Wawona jewelflower) is a native California perennial in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by many crowded circular bracts.
Wawona jewelflower is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in lower montane conifer forest and montane chaparral on granitic soil at elevations of 1,220 to 2,050 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces flowers in delicate clusters with stems branching distally and reaching 4 to 8.4 decimeters tall. Growing with a woody caudex and simple or multiple stems, it develops broadly spoon-shaped to lance-ovate mid-cauline leaves 2.3 to 3.3 centimeters long. Its leaves show variation from basal rosettes to proximal cauline forms, with sizes ranging from 1.2 to 6.7 centimeters. The plant produces distinctive fruits that are spreading and straight to slightly arched, measuring 8 to 13.5 centimeters long with pedicels 1.9 to 4.7 millimeters wide.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 42 sympatric species; key feature is many crowded circular bracts
Habitat and range
Habitat: Lower montane conifer forest, montane chaparral, on granitic soil or outcrops
Elevation: 1220-2050 m
Bloom period
Streptanthus tortuosus var. foliosus blooms Jun-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 tortuosus var. foliosus native to California?
Yes. Streptanthus tortuosus var. foliosus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Streptanthus tortuosus var. foliosus bloom?
Streptanthus tortuosus var. foliosus blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Streptanthus tortuosus var. foliosus belong to?
Streptanthus tortuosus var. foliosus is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Streptanthus.
What habitat does Streptanthus tortuosus var. foliosus grow in?
Streptanthus tortuosus var. foliosus grows in Lower montane conifer forest, montane chaparral, on granitic soil or outcrops.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Streptanthus vernalis — Early jewelflower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
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.