Family: Cleomaceae

Evergreen shrub growing up to about 5’ high and wide, rarely a bit bigger. Yellow, nectar rich flowers bloom January through May consistently and then sporadically the rest of the year. The fruits are inflated pods. Foliage has an intense aroma.

Full to part sun, moderate water with good drainage, hardy to 15°F.

Great nectar plant because it can bloom in any month of the year and can sometimes be the only thing blooming in the landscape. Larval host for the Becker's White (Pontia beckerii), the Western White (Pontia occidentalis), and the Checkered White (Pontia protodice).

The Diegueno Indians used the seeds and flowers for food. The flowers were eaten boiled or sunbaked by the Kawaiisu.

The genus Cleomella has 22 species of native to North America, ranging from southern Mexico through the western and central United States to western and central Canada. The genus The word Cleomella is a combination of the words "cleome" and "-ella", which mean "little cleome". The species name arborea means "tree-like". This species has changed botanical names a lot! Formerly known as Cleome isomeris, Peritoma arborea, Isomeris arborea.

Photo by Matthew Harvey, iNaturalist
Cleomella arborea on SEINET