Shieldplant
Streptanthus tortuosus
- Native to:
- United States
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Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Genus:
- Streptanthus
- Species:
- Streptanthus tortuosus
- USDA Symbol:
- STTO3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Biennial | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, yellow, white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
California Marble (Euchloe hyantis), Paramidea lanceolata, Sara Orangetip (Anthocharis sara), Small White (Pieris rapae), Spring white (Pontia sisymbrii), Western white (Pontia occidentalis)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii) Butterflies:California Marble (Euchloe hyantis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, native bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown after fire; often colonizes disturbed or recently burned areas in chaparral and montane habitats.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- often found in mountainous regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Cold stratification improves germination. Seeds may germinate erratically without pretreatment.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI