Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Erysimum franciscanum, commonly known as the Franciscan Wallflower or San Francisco Wallflower, is a plant endemic to the northern California coast, from Sonoma to Santa Cruz County. It is a member of the wallflower genus in the mustard family, the Brassicaceae. The plant is a biennial or short-lived perennial. The flowers are cream-colored, with four sepals and four petals arranged in a cross shape, as is characteristic of the Brassicaceae. It is usually reported to flower from February to April, but can be seen in flower as early as January and as late as June, depending on the site. The plant is delicate-looking; it prefers open scrubby areas with a fair amount of sunlight, but can flourish on a range of soils including disintegrating serpentine, gravelly and sandy soils. It is fairly easily cultivated in gardens.

Plant type

Annual herb, Perennial herb

Size

2 - 20 in Tall

Dormancy

Evergreen

Calscape icon
Color

White, Cream

Flowering season

Spring, Winter

Special uses

Deer resistant

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Low

Propagation

For propagating by seed: No treatment.

Sunset Zones

5, 7, 14, 15*, 16*, 17*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*

Site type

Open places

Plant communities

Coastal Strand, Northern Coastal Scrub, Valley Grassland

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 2 likely

Confirmed Likely

Sara Orangetip

Anthocharis sara

Large Marble

Euchloe ausonides