Thysanocarpus curvipes subsp. curvipes
Photo: parent species Thysanocarpus curvipes · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Thysanocarpus curvipes subsp. curvipes is a native California annual in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by hairy base with glabrous upper stem plus smaller rayed fruits.
Sandhill rocket is a California native annual found in the California Floristic Province, North Coast, and Desert regions on slopes, washes, moist meadows, woodland, and streambanks at elevations below 2,500 meters. Flowering in spring, this plant produces small white to lavender flowers. Growing with delicate stems that are hairy near the base and smooth toward the top, it reaches approximately 10 to 30 centimeters tall. Its leaves are variable, with lower leaves often deeply lobed and upper leaves becoming smaller and more narrow. The distinctive fruit is uniquely winged, with intricate ray-like or spoon-shaped margins less than 6 millimeters wide, creating an elegant silhouette against the landscape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; key feature is hairy base with glabrous upper stem plus smaller rayed fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Slopes, washes, moist meadows, woodland, streambanks
Elevation: < 2500 m
Outside California: to southwestern British Columbia, southwestern Montana, northern Baja California, northern Sonora
How to tell it apart
vs Lepidium: Fruits hang downward like lanterns versus standing upright in Lepidium.; vs Athysanus: Fruits have distinctive papery wings with radiating veins versus wingless tiny fruits.; vs Capsella: Fruits are round with lacy wings versus triangular heart-shaped pods.; vs Briza: Mustard with flat winged fruits versus grass with dangling spikelets.; vs Eriogonum: Annual mustard with winged hanging fruits versus buckwheat with ball-like flower clusters.
Frequently asked questions
Is Thysanocarpus curvipes subsp. curvipes native to California?
Yes. Thysanocarpus curvipes subsp. curvipes is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Thysanocarpus curvipes subsp. curvipes belong to?
Thysanocarpus curvipes subsp. curvipes is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Thysanocarpus.
What habitat does Thysanocarpus curvipes subsp. curvipes grow in?
Thysanocarpus curvipes subsp. curvipes grows in Common. Slopes, washes, moist meadows, woodland, streambanks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.