Thysanocarpus curvipes subsp. eradiatus
Photo: parent species Thysanocarpus curvipes · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Thysanocarpus curvipes subsp. eradiatus is a native California annual in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by non-rayed wings with entire to shallow crenate margins.
California rockcress is a native annual herb found in the southwestern California, eastern Sierra Nevada, and desert bioregions on slopes, washes, moist meadows, woodlands, and streambanks at elevations below 2,500 meters. Flowering in early spring, this plant produces small white to pale lavender flowers in delicate clusters. Growing with slender, glabrous stems up to 30 centimeters tall, it forms a compact and somewhat branching habit. Its leaves are narrow and simple, typically elongated and arranged alternately along the stem. The distinctive fruit is a small, curved silique less than 6 millimeters long with a delicate, entire wing margin.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; key feature is non-rayed wings with entire to shallow crenate margins
Habitat and range
Habitat: Slopes, washes, moist meadows, woodland, streambanks
Elevation: < 2500 m
Outside California: to southern Nevada, southwestern Utah, northwestern Arizona, also northwestern Colorado
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. eradiatus native to California?
Yes. Thysanocarpus curvipes subsp. eradiatus is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Thysanocarpus curvipes subsp. eradiatus belong to?
Thysanocarpus curvipes subsp. eradiatus is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Thysanocarpus.
What habitat does Thysanocarpus curvipes subsp. eradiatus grow in?
Thysanocarpus curvipes subsp. eradiatus grows in Slopes, washes, moist meadows, woodland, streambanks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.