Taxon Report

Streptanthus albidus Greene ssp. albidus

Metcalf Canyon jewelflower

Print Report


© 2015 Aaron Schusteff

Taxon Summary

Streptanthus albidus ssp. albidus, commonly known as Metcalf Canyon jewelflower, is a annual herb in the Brassicaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Valley and foothill grassland, growing at elevations from 45 to 800 meters. Streptanthus albidus ssp. albidus is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Streptanthus albidus Greene ssp. albidus
Common Name:
Metcalf Canyon jewelflower
Family: Brassicaceae
Element Code: PDBRA2G011
USDA Plants Symbol: STALA
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: annual herb
Blooming Period: Apr-Jul Apr-Jul
Elevation: 45-800 (150-2625)
General Habitats: Valley and foothill grassland
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 13
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 7
   Fair (C) 2
   Poor (D) 2
   None (X) 1
   Unknown (U) 1
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Santa Clara (SCL)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Lick Observatory (3712136), Morgan Hill (3712126), San Jose East (3712137), Santa Teresa Hills (3712127)*

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 10
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
13 100 %
Non-native plant impacts 11 84%
Development 6 46%
Grazing 6 46%
Road/trail construction/maint. 6 46%
Other 2 15%
Biocides 1 7%
ORV activity 1 7%
Mining 1 7%
Foot traffic/trampling 1 7%
Vandalism/dumping/litter 1 7%

Notes

Threatened by residential development, road construction, vehicles, and non-native plants. A synonym of S. glandulosus ssp. albidus in TJM 2; further study is underway to determine its relationship to the S. glandulosus complex. See Pittonia 1:62 (1887) for original description, MadroƱo 14(7):217-227 (1958) for taxonomic treatment, and Systematic Botany 19(4):557-574 (1994) for discussion of S. glandulosus complex.
Threats:
Taxonomy:
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 30 January 2025].