Adenostoma fasciculatum var. obtusifolium
San diego chamise
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Family: Rosaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Adenostoma fasciculatum var. obtusifolium (San diego chamise) is a native California shrub in the Rosaceae family, recognized by blunt leaf tips, small size, and southern distribution.
San diego chamise is a California native shrub found in southern coastal and southwestern Peninsular Range bioregions in dry chaparral slopes and ridges at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces small white to cream-colored flowers in compact clusters. Growing with erect to ascending branches 1.5 to 2 meters tall, it features short twigs covered in soft, wavy hairs. Its leaves are distinctive, measuring 2 to 6.5 millimeters long, oblanceolate to club-shaped with generally blunt, slightly pointed tips. The shrub forms dense, intricate branching patterns characteristic of chaparral vegetation.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; key features are blunt leaf tips, small size, and southern distribution
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry slopes, ridges, chaparral
Elevation: < 800 m
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Adenostoma fasciculatum var. obtusifolium blooms May-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Eriogonum: Adenostoma has bundled needle-like leaves and rose family flowers; buckwheats have broader leaves and ball-like flower heads.; vs Baccharis: Adenostoma has bundled linear leaves; Baccharis has wider single leaves and yellow to white brush-like flower heads.; vs Ceanothus: Adenostoma has tiny bundled needles; Ceanothus has broader single leaves and blue to white dense flower clusters.; vs Artemisia: Adenostoma has bundled needles and white flower panicles; sagebrush has feathery gray foliage and yellow flower heads.; vs Ericameria: Adenostoma has white flowers and bundled needles; goldenbush has yellow flowers and non-bundled narrow leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Adenostoma fasciculatum var. obtusifolium native to California?
Yes. Adenostoma fasciculatum var. obtusifolium is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Adenostoma fasciculatum var. obtusifolium bloom?
Adenostoma fasciculatum var. obtusifolium blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Adenostoma fasciculatum var. obtusifolium belong to?
Adenostoma fasciculatum var. obtusifolium is in the Rosaceae family, genus Adenostoma.
What habitat does Adenostoma fasciculatum var. obtusifolium grow in?
Adenostoma fasciculatum var. obtusifolium grows in dry slopes, ridges, chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.