Bristly jewelflower

Description

Streptanthus glandulosus�is a species of flowering plant in the�mustard family�known by the common name�bristly jewelflower.�It is native to�California�and southwestern�Oregon, where it grows in many types of habitat, including�grassland,�chaparral, and woodlands.�Genetic�and other analyses indicate that it is a�species complex�with ten subspecies which evolved as populations were isolated from each other.�The complex includes subspecies previously considered separate species, such as the rare�Tiburon jewelflower�(ssp.�niger)�endemicto the�San Francisco Bay Area.�Plants in the complex are variable. In general they are annual herbs growing 10 centimeters to over a meter in height. They may be hairless to hairy to bristly. The ephemeral basal leaves have blades borne on winged�petioles. Leaves higher on the stem are linear to lance-shaped and clasp the stem at their bases. Flowers occur at intervals along the upper stem. Each flower has an urn-shaped calyx of�sepals�one half to over one centimeter long which can be most any color from white to yellowish to pink or purple to nearly black. Purple, white, or purple-veined white petals emerge from the tip. The fruit is a straight or curving�silique�up to 11 centimeters long.