Thelypodium integrifolium subsp. affine
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Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Thelypodium integrifolium subsp. affine is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by upcurved fruits and stout pedicels.
Thelypodium integrifolium is a California native biennial found in the southern eastern California desert and eastern Mojave Desert regions, growing among shrubs, low dunes, and meadows at elevations of 700 to 1,100 meters. Flowering from June to October, this plant produces white petals in delicate clusters. Growing with slender stems that rise from the base of low-growing shrubs, it develops an upright structure reaching moderate height. Its leaves are entire and elongated, forming a basal rosette that blends with the surrounding desert landscape. The plant produces distinctive fruits 2 to 4 centimeters long that curve gracefully upward, supported by short, stout stalks.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; diagnostic upcurved fruits and stout pedicels
Habitat and range
Habitat: Among shrubs, low dunes, meadows
Elevation: 700-1100 m
California counties: Inyo, Los Angeles, San Bernardino
Outside California: to southwestern Utah
Bloom period
Thelypodium integrifolium subsp. affine blooms Jun-Oct.
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 subsp. affine native to California?
Yes. Thelypodium integrifolium subsp. affine is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Thelypodium integrifolium subsp. affine bloom?
Thelypodium integrifolium subsp. affine blooms Jun-Oct.
Where in California does Thelypodium integrifolium subsp. affine grow?
Thelypodium integrifolium subsp. affine occurs in Inyo, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, at elevations of 700-1100 m.
What plant family does Thelypodium integrifolium subsp. affine belong to?
Thelypodium integrifolium subsp. affine is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Thelypodium.
What habitat does Thelypodium integrifolium subsp. affine grow in?
Thelypodium integrifolium subsp. affine grows in Among shrubs, low dunes, meadows.
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.