Streptanthus tortuosus var. oblongus
Klamath mountains jewelflower
(c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Don Loarie · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Streptanthus tortuosus var. oblongus (Klamath mountains jewelflower) is a native California perennial in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by low elevation and bract characteristics.
Klamath mountains jewelflower is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Mountains on rocky slopes, outcrops, and roadcuts within mixed evergreen forest at elevations of 150 to 690 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces flowers with white to purple petals approximately 12 to 16.8 millimeters long. Growing with stems 29 to 126 centimeters tall, branching distally from a woody caudex and forming simple or multiple stems. Its leaves are lance-ovate, with basal and proximal cauline leaves 2.4 to 7.3 centimeters long and mid-cauline leaves 1.8 to 7.1 centimeters long. The fruit is a spreading, straight to arched silique 4.5 to 9.5 centimeters long, containing 31 to 81 seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 42 sympatric species; key features are low elevation and bract characteristics
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, outcrops, roadcuts, in mixed evergreen forest
Elevation: 150-690 m
Bloom period
Streptanthus tortuosus var. oblongus 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 tortuosus var. oblongus native to California?
Yes. Streptanthus tortuosus var. oblongus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Streptanthus tortuosus var. oblongus bloom?
Streptanthus tortuosus var. oblongus blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Streptanthus tortuosus var. oblongus belong to?
Streptanthus tortuosus var. oblongus is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Streptanthus.
What habitat does Streptanthus tortuosus var. oblongus grow in?
Streptanthus tortuosus var. oblongus grows in Rocky slopes, outcrops, roadcuts, in mixed evergreen forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Streptanthus vimineus — Slender jewelflower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-01
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.