About Streptanthus barbiger Greene
Streptanthus barbiger Greene is a species of flowering plant in the mustard family, commonly called the bearded jewelflower. This plant is endemic to California, and is only found growing within the state's North Coast Ranges. It grows in woodland and chaparral habitats, and is often found on serpentine soils.
It is an annual herb that grows a branching stem reaching a maximum height of around 80 centimeters. Leaves located near the base of the stem are lance-shaped to oval with pointed tips, and most have toothed edges. The leaf blades of these basal leaves can grow up to 7 centimeters long. Leaves growing higher on the stem may be longer than basal leaves, but are narrower and have smooth edges.
Flowers grow at intervals along the upper section of the stem. Each flower has a spherical to urn-shaped calyx made of greenish yellow or purple sepals, which is less than one centimeter long. Whitish or purple-tinged petals, reaching up to one centimeter in length, emerge from the tip of the calyx. The fruit this plant produces is a long, flat, curving silique that can reach 7 centimeters in length.
