Streptanthus hispidus
Encyclopedia
Streptanthus hispidus, the Mount Diablo Jewelflower, is a rare species of flowering plant in the mustard family
.
, where it is known from fewer than 15 occurrences on and around Mount Diablo. It grows in rocky outcrops in grassland
and chaparral
habitat. It is threatened by habitat degradation, such as trampling by hikers
and destruction during maintenance activities.
, the uppermost ones often sterile and different in form. The bristly bell-shaped calyx of sepal
s is greenish brown in the fertile flowers and purple in the sterile. Fertile flowers have four light purple petals up to a centimeter long. The fruit is a bristly silique
up to 8 centimeters in length.
Brassicaceae
Brassicaceae, a medium sized and economically important family of flowering plants , are informally known as the mustards, mustard flowers, the crucifers or the cabbage family....
.
Distribution
It is endemic to Contra Costa County, CaliforniaContra Costa County, California
Contra Costa County is a primarily suburban county in the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 1,049,025...
, where it is known from fewer than 15 occurrences on and around Mount Diablo. It grows in rocky outcrops in grassland
Grassland
Grasslands are areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants . However, sedge and rush families can also be found. Grasslands occur naturally on all continents except Antarctica...
and chaparral
Chaparral
Chaparral is a shrubland or heathland plant community found primarily in the U.S. state of California and in the northern portion of the Baja California peninsula, Mexico...
habitat. It is threatened by habitat degradation, such as trampling by hikers
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
and destruction during maintenance activities.
Description
Streptanthus hispidus is a bristly annual herb growing up to 30 centimeters tall. Flowers occur in a racemeRaceme
A raceme is a type of inflorescence that is unbranched and indeterminate and bears pedicellate flowers — flowers having short floral stalks called pedicels — along the axis. In botany, axis means a shoot, in this case one bearing the flowers. In a raceme, the oldest flowers are borne...
, the uppermost ones often sterile and different in form. The bristly bell-shaped calyx of sepal
Sepal
A sepal is a part of the flower of angiosperms . Collectively the sepals form the calyx, which is the outermost whorl of parts that form a flower. Usually green, sepals have the typical function of protecting the petals when the flower is in bud...
s is greenish brown in the fertile flowers and purple in the sterile. Fertile flowers have four light purple petals up to a centimeter long. The fruit is a bristly silique
Silique
A silique or siliqua is a fruit of 2 fused carpels with the length being more than three times the width. The outer walls of the ovary usually separate when ripe, leaving a persistent partition...
up to 8 centimeters in length.
External links
- Streptanthus hispidus, Mt. Diablo jewelflower USDA PLANTS database
- Streptanthus hispidus, Mount Diablo Jewelflower Jepson Manual treatment
- Streptanthus hispidus, Mt. Diablo jewel-flower CNPSCalifornia Native Plant SocietyThe California Native Plant Society is a California not-for-profit organization that seeks to increase understanding of California's native flora and to preserve that flora. Its "paramount purpose is to preserve wild plants".-History:...
Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants - Flora of North America
- Photo gallery