Taxon Report

Dithyrea maritima A. Davids.

beach spectaclepod

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Taxon Summary

Dithyrea maritima, commonly known as beach spectaclepod, is a perennial rhizomatous herb in the Brassicaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Coastal dunes, and Coastal scrub (sandy), growing at elevations from 3 to 50 meters. Dithyrea maritima is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Dithyrea maritima A. Davids.
Common Name:	beach spectaclepod
Family:	Brassicaceae
Element Code:	PDBRA10020
USDA Plants Symbol:	DIMA6
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial rhizomatous herb
Blooming Period: Mar-May	Mar-May
Elevation:	3-50 (10-165)
General Habitats:	Coastal dunes, Coastal scrub
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.1
Global Rank:	G1
State Rank:	S1
State List:	CT
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	BLM_S; SB_SBBG
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	28
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	2
Good (B)	4
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	1
None (X)	3
Unknown (U)	18

Location


California Endemic: False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Los Angeles (LAX)*, San Luis Obispo (SLO), Santa Barbara (SBA), Ventura (VEN)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Arroyo Grande NE (3512025), Beverly Hills (3411814), Casmalia (3412075), Morro Bay South (3512037), Oceano (3512015), Pismo Beach (3512026), Point Sal (3412086), Redondo Beach (3311874), San Miguel Island East (3312083), San Nicolas Island (3311924), Santa Catalina East (3311833), Santa Catalina North (3311844), Santa Catalina South (3311834), Santa Catalina West (3311845), Surf (3412065), Topanga (3411815), Venice (3311884)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	8
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	13	46 %
Non-native plant impacts	6	21%
Other	5	17%
Foot traffic/trampling	4	14%
ORV activity	3	10%
Erosion/runoff	2	7%
Feral pigs	1	3%
Mining	1	3%
Recreational use (non-ORV)	1	3%

Notes



Extirpated from half of its historical range. Need historical quads for SCT Isl. Last seen in LAX Co. in 1932. Threatened by trampling, vehicles, and non-native plants. See Erythea 2:179 (1894) 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 5 February 2025].