Plant · GBIF taxon 3118771
California brittlebush
Encelia californicaAlso known as California Coast Sunflower, California Bush Sunflower, Coast Sunflower
California brittlebush crowns coastal bluffs and chaparral slopes with masses of bright yellow daisy-like blossoms from late winter into summer. Highly adapted to Mediterranean climates, this rounded shrub drops its leaves during extreme summer droughts to conserve moisture and re-sprouts vigorously with winter rains. Its rich floral display provides a crucial nectar source for native bees, butterflies, and hovering flower flies across Southern California.
Drought TolerantNativeFlowering
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
- Herbivorous Insects
- Desert Cottontails
- Brush Rabbits
ThreatsUrban development, invasive exotic grasses, altered fire frequencies
HabitatsCoastal sage scrub, chaparral, dry coastal bluffs
Life span10–20 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAsterales
- FamilyAsteraceae
- GenusEncelia
- SpeciesEncelia californica
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Spotting: Look for bright yellow composite flowers with dark brown centers on dry sunny hillsides along the coast.
- Garden Use: Plant in full sun and well-draining soil for low-water native pollinator gardens.
- Seasonal Care: Expect leaves to drop during hot dry summers as a natural adaptation to conserve water.
Frequent Companion (c) NatureShutterbug, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Frequent Companion (c) Jesse Rorabaugh, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jesse Rorabaugh · cc-by
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