Taxon Report

Smelowskia ovalis M.E. Jones

alpine smelowskia

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Smelowskia ovalis, commonly known as alpine smelowskia, is a perennial herb in the Brassicaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Alpine boulder and rock field, growing at elevations from 2440 to 3100 meters. Smelowskia ovalis is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Smelowskia ovalis M.E. Jones
Common Name:	alpine smelowskia
Family:	Brassicaceae
Element Code:	PDBRA2D040
USDA Plants Symbol:	SMOV
Synonyms/Other Names:	Smelowskia ovalis var. congesta

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial herb
Blooming Period: Jul-Aug	Jul-Aug
Elevation:	2440-3100 (8005-10170)
General Habitats:	Alpine boulder and rock field
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.2
Global Rank:	G5
State Rank:	S1
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	3
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	2
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	1

Location


California Endemic: False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Shasta (SHA)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Lassen Peak (4012145), Manzanita Lake (4012155), Reading Peak (4012144), West Prospect Peak (4012154)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	2
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	1	33 %
Foot traffic/trampling	1	33%
Road/trail construction/maint.	1	33%

Notes



Known in CA only from Mt. Lassen. See Rhodora 40:302 (1938) for original description.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 7 November 2025].