Scientific Family
Brassicaceae
Synonyms
Hesperidanthus linearifolius, Sisymbrium linearifolium, Thelypodiopsis linearifo
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Similar species
Hesperidanthus sp., Schoenocrambe sp.
Height
14 to 36 inches
Riparian
No
A tall and slender plant with a few flowers at the top. Has one or few erect stems with branching, much above the base.
Petals purple to white; middle sepals hooded; stigmas conical; petal veins not darker than
blade; stem leaves and no rosette of leaves distinguishes this from other Hesperidanthus sp.
Habitat
Open woods, dry hillsides, oak woodland, mixed conifer forests, arroyos, canyons, rocky ridges, limestone ledges, sandstone crevices, roadsides.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
2300
High elevation
10200
Flower Characteristics
Flower stalks branch straight up or ascending at a wide angle. Has four equally spaced spoon shaped petals 1/2 to 2/3 inch long by 1/8 to less than 1/4 inch wide, converging at the
center. Veins visible in the petals.
Flower color
Bluish-purple to purple
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
July
Last bloom month
November
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Very long and narrow. 1-1/3 to 5 inches long by less than 1/8 to 1/4 inch wide. Has a very short leaf stalk.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Grayish-green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Straight from 1-1/2 to 3-1/2 inches long by 1/16 inch with slender cylindrical shape.
Fruit type
Pod