Tahoe Yellow Cress (TYC, Rorippa subumbellata) is a small native plant that grows on the shoreline of Lake Tahoe and no where else in the world. It lives only on the sandy beaches and dunes at the ever-changing margin of the lake. Impacts from recreation and development first led to conservation concerns in the 1970’s and TYC has been listed as endangered in both states since 1982. In 1999, a multi-agency and private interest group task force was formed to develop and implement a conservation strategy to promote the recovery and conservation of TYC. The conservation strategy provides an adaptive management framework and options for avoiding, minimizing, and mitigating impacts to TYC and its habitat on public and private lands. The TYC Stewardship Program recognizes the critical role of private landowners in ensuring the long-term survival of TYC.

A similar species can be found growing alongside TYC on the shores of Lake Tahoe. TYC has plump round fruits, fleshy leaves, and a compact growth form, while western cress (Rorippa curvisiliqua) is often taller, the fruits are elongated and narrow, and the leaves are less fleshy and turn purple with age. In contrast to the rarity of TYC, western cress is very widespread throughout the western U.S.