Streptanthus vimineus
Slender jewelflower
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Conservation status: CNPS PPD
Streptanthus vimineus (Slender jewelflower) is a native California annual in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by distinctive narrow leaves and unequal petals.
Slender jewelflower is a California native annual found in northern Coast Ranges interior (Colusa, Lake, and Napa counties) in serpentine grasslands, ridges, and chaparral openings at elevations of 250 to 800 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white flowers with purple veins, 8 to 12 millimeters long, with unequal petals arranged in generally one-sided clusters. Growing 1 to 7.5 decimeters tall with erect, branched stems that are mostly glabrous, it develops distinctive linear to narrowly lance-linear leaves that become progressively smaller up the stem. Its leaves range from basal narrowly ovate shapes to mid-stem sessile leaves 2 to 12 centimeters long, with entire margins and occasionally lobed bases. The plant produces spreading fruit 3.5 to 6.5 centimeters long, with narrow pods recurved and slightly constricted between seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; distinctive narrow leaves and unequal petals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine grassland, ridges, barrens, openings in chaparral
Elevation: 250-800 m
Bloom period
Streptanthus vimineus blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS PPD
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 vimineus native to California?
Yes. Streptanthus vimineus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Streptanthus vimineus bloom?
Streptanthus vimineus blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Streptanthus vimineus belong to?
Streptanthus vimineus is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Streptanthus.
Is Streptanthus vimineus rare or endangered?
Streptanthus vimineus carries California Rare Plant Rank PPD.
What habitat does Streptanthus vimineus grow in?
Streptanthus vimineus grows in Serpentine grassland, ridges, barrens, openings in chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Streptanthus albidus ssp. peramoenus — most beautiful jewelflower
- Streptanthus anomalus — Mount burdell jewelflower
- Streptanthus barbatus — Pacific jewelflower
- Streptanthus barbiger — Bearded jewelflower
- Streptanthus batrachopus — Tamalpais jewelflower
- Streptanthus bernardinus — Laguna mountains jewelflower
- Strigosella africana — African mustard
- Strigosella sp.
- Subularia aquatica subsp. americana — Water awlwort
- Subularia sp. — Awlwort
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.