Thelypodium integrifolium
Entire leaved thelypodium
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Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Thelypodium integrifolium (Entire leaved thelypodium) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Entire leaved thelypodium is a California native biennial found in open habitats at elevations between 1,000 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces purple to white flowers 6 to 9 millimeters long with spoon-shaped petals. Growing 2 to 5 meters tall with straight, glaucous stems that branch toward the top, it develops a distinctive glabrous structure. Its basal leaves can reach 31 centimeters long, with entire margins and glabrous petioles, while mid-stem leaves are sessile and tapered at the base. The plant produces cylindric fruits with 14 to 40 small oblong seeds, each 1 to 2 millimeters wide.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Lassen
How to tell it apart
vs Stanleya: Flower stalks barely visible versus quarter-inch-plus dramatic stalks in Stanleya.; vs Caulanthus: Seed pods sit on distinct stalks above flower base versus sitting directly on base.; vs Brassica: Purple to white flowers with stalked pods versus yellow flowers in Brassica.; vs Boechera: Robust plants with relatively large flowers (6-16mm) versus delicate plants with smaller flowers.; vs Noccaea: Tall stems with purple-white flowers versus low rosette plants with tiny white flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Thelypodium integrifolium native to California?
Yes. Thelypodium integrifolium is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Thelypodium integrifolium grow?
Thelypodium integrifolium occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Lassen.
What plant family does Thelypodium integrifolium belong to?
Thelypodium integrifolium is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Thelypodium.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.