Teesdalia nudicaulis
Barestem teesdalia
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Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Teesdalia nudicaulis (Barestem teesdalia) is a non-native California herb in the Brassicaceae family.
Barestem teesdalia is a naturalized annual found in the central coast region around Fort Ord, Monterey County, in wet, disturbed areas at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces small white flowers with delicate petals measuring 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems 5 to 15 centimeters tall, emerging one to many from the base and remaining simple and unbranched. Its leaves are distinctively shaped with oblanceolate to obovate blades 3 to 15 millimeters long, pinnately lobed or occasionally entire, with sparse cauline leaves that are linear to oblong. The fruit is broadly rounded, measuring 3 to 4.5 millimeters wide with spreading pedicels.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 0 sympatric species - geographically isolated in CCo
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Wet, disturbed areas
Elevation: < 100 m
Outside California: northern to Washington, eastern United States, native to Europe
Bloom period
Teesdalia nudicaulis blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Capsella: Teesdalia fruit is a rounded, notched silicle and its 4 petals are unequal (outer pair larger); shepherd's purse (Capsella) has triangular, heart-shaped fruits and equal petals.; vs Lepidium: Teesdalia has clearly unequal petals and a basal rosette of pinnately lobed leaves on nearly leafless stems; peppergrasses (Lepidium) have equal or absent petals and usually leafier stems.; vs Draba: Teesdalia is nearly glabrous with lobed rosette leaves; Draba is typically star-hairy with entire to toothed leaves.; vs Cardamine: Teesdalia has a small, flat, notched silicle; bittercress (Cardamine) has an elongate linear silique that springs open explosively.; vs Thlaspi: Teesdalia fruit is small and only shallowly notched; pennycress (Thlaspi/Noccaea) fruit is larger with broad wings and a deep apical notch.
Frequently asked questions
Is Teesdalia nudicaulis native to California?
No. Teesdalia nudicaulis is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Teesdalia nudicaulis bloom?
Teesdalia nudicaulis blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Teesdalia nudicaulis belong to?
Teesdalia nudicaulis is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Teesdalia.
What habitat does Teesdalia nudicaulis grow in?
Teesdalia nudicaulis grows in Uncommon. Wet, disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.