Thysanocarpus curvipes subsp. longistylus
Photo: parent species Thysanocarpus curvipes · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Thysanocarpus curvipes subsp. longistylus is a native California annual in the Brassicaceae family.
Long-styled sand fringepod is a California native annual found in central Sierra Nevada and eastern Sierra Nevada mountains in slopes, washes, moist meadows, woodland, and streambanks at elevations below 2,500 meters. Flowering time not specified in source data, this plant produces delicate, pale flowers with distinctive winged fruits. Growing with hairy stems near the base that become smooth toward the top, it develops slender and graceful plant structure. Its leaves are not specifically detailed in the provided description, though the distinctive feature is its unique fruit with wing-like structures that are either rayed and entire or divided into spoon-shaped lobes. The fruit is small, less than 6 millimeters long with a style measuring 0.9 to 1.5 millimeters.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: No sympatric species; geographic isolation but unclear range resolution
Habitat and range
Habitat: Slopes, washes, moist meadows, woodland, streambanks
Elevation: < 2500 m
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. longistylus native to California?
Yes. Thysanocarpus curvipes subsp. longistylus is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Thysanocarpus curvipes subsp. longistylus belong to?
Thysanocarpus curvipes subsp. longistylus is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Thysanocarpus.
What habitat does Thysanocarpus curvipes subsp. longistylus grow in?
Thysanocarpus curvipes subsp. longistylus grows in Slopes, washes, moist meadows, woodland, streambanks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.