Tropidocarpum californicum
Kings gold
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Tropidocarpum californicum (Kings gold) is a native California herb in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by obconic silicles vs linear siliques.
Kings gold is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in the San Joaquin Valley in Kern and Kings counties within alkaline Atriplex scrub at approximately 65 meters elevation. Flowering in March, this plant produces small yellow flowers with oblanceolate to spoon-shaped petals approximately 1.6 to 2.5 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems 3 to 25 centimeters tall, it has delicate branching structure. Its leaves feature proximal cauline blades 2.5 to 4.5 centimeters long with 2 to 4 pairs of entire lateral lobes. The fruit is a small, hairy silicle 4 to 5 millimeters wide with thick-leathery valves that are slightly tubercled near the tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by obconic silicles vs linear siliques
Habitat and range
Habitat: +- Alkaline, sandy clay soil in Atriplex scrub
Elevation: +- 65 m.
California counties: Kern, Kings
Bloom period
Tropidocarpum californicum blooms Mar.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
How to tell it apart
vs Camissoniopsis: Tropidocarpum has 4 petals in cross shape; Camissoniopsis has 4 petals but in evening primrose family with inferior ovary.; vs Sisymbrium: Tropidocarpum has leafy bracts throughout flower cluster; Sisymbrium has naked flower clusters without bracts.; vs Dithyrea: Tropidocarpum has leafy bracts throughout inflorescence; Dithyrea has naked flower clusters and spectacle-shaped fruits.; vs Hornungia: Tropidocarpum has leafy bracts throughout flower cluster; Hornungia has completely naked flower clusters.; vs Physaria: Tropidocarpum has leafy bracts throughout inflorescence; Physaria has naked flower clusters and distinctive silvery woolly appearance.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tropidocarpum californicum native to California?
Yes. Tropidocarpum californicum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Tropidocarpum californicum bloom?
Tropidocarpum californicum blooms Mar.
Where in California does Tropidocarpum californicum grow?
Tropidocarpum californicum occurs in Kern, Kings, at elevations of +- 65 m..
What plant family does Tropidocarpum californicum belong to?
Tropidocarpum californicum is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Tropidocarpum.
Is Tropidocarpum californicum rare or endangered?
Tropidocarpum californicum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.