Streptanthus tortuosus var. optatus
Sierran foothill jewelflower
(c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Don Loarie · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Streptanthus tortuosus var. optatus (Sierran foothill jewelflower) is a native California subshrub in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by high seed count and bract size.
Sierran foothill jewelflower is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada foothills on rocky granitic and serpentine slopes, in river canyons with foothill woodland and lower montane conifer forest at elevations of 140 to 1,585 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces yellow flowers with sepals 6 to 13.5 millimeters long and petals 10.3 to 15 millimeters long. Growing with simple or branched stems 4.6 to 10 decimeters tall emerging from a woody caudex, it develops distinctive branching in the upper portions. Its leaves vary from narrowly obovate basal blades 2 to 3.5 centimeters long to lance-ovate mid-stem leaves with acute tips. The fruit develops as a spreading pod 4.5 to 15 centimeters long, held on ascending pedicels.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 42 sympatric species; key feature is high seed count and bract size
Habitat and range
Habitat: On rocky granitic or metamorphic (including serpentine) slopes, outcrops, and roadcuts, in river canyons with foothill woodland, riparian woodland, lower montane conifer forest
Elevation: 140-1585 m
Bloom period
Streptanthus tortuosus var. optatus blooms Apr-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. optatus native to California?
Yes. Streptanthus tortuosus var. optatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Streptanthus tortuosus var. optatus bloom?
Streptanthus tortuosus var. optatus blooms Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Streptanthus tortuosus var. optatus belong to?
Streptanthus tortuosus var. optatus is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Streptanthus.
What habitat does Streptanthus tortuosus var. optatus grow in?
Streptanthus tortuosus var. optatus grows in On rocky granitic or metamorphic (including serpentine) slopes, outcrops, and roadcuts, in river canyons with foothill woodland, riparian woodland, lower montane conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Streptanthus albidus ssp. peramoenus — most beautiful jewelflower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.