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Native Plant Database

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Encelia californica (California brittlebush)
Pisapia, Robert J.

Encelia californica Nutt.

California brittlebush, Coast sunflower

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

USDA Symbol: ENCA

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A broad, rounded subshrub, 3-4 ft. high and equally as wide. It is woody just at the base. Brittle, green branches occur in circular bunches and bear bright-green, oval leaves which remain on the plant year-round only in wetter years. Two in., daisy-like flowers appear on long, leafless stalks. The yellow ray flowers surround reddish-purple disk flowers.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 6-12 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA
Native Distribution: S. CA
Native Habitat: Coastal bluffs; sage scrub slopes
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Description: Sandy or well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: Cut back by half in fall before new growth begins.

Propagation

Description: Propagate by softwood cuttings or seeds sown in fall.
Seed Collection: Seeds must be hand-harvested.
Seed Treatment: No pretreatment is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Encelia californica in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Encelia californica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Encelia californica

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-21
Research By: TWC Staff

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