Although originally treated as a variety of Draba cuneifolia, D. californica is but distantly related to that species. Instead, ongoing studies (L. Allphin and M. D. Windham, unpubl.) suggest that it may be an allopolyploid resulting from hybridization between D. albertina and D. breweri. The species is restricted to the White Mountains in Mono County, California, and adjacent Esmeralda County, Nevada.