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Encelia californica
Encelia californica Nutt.
California Brittlebush, Coast Sunflower
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: ENCA
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A broad, rounded subshrub, 3-5 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 inch, daisy-like flowers appear on long, leafless stalks. The yellow ray flowers surround reddish-purple disc flowers.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AZ , CANative Distribution: S. CA and Arizona south to Baja California and Sonora
Native Habitat: Coastal bluffs; sage scrub slopes
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil 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 on display at the following locations: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. WasowskiSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Encelia californica in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Encelia californica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Encelia californica
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-12Research By: TWC Staff