Adenostoma fasciculatum var. prostratum
Prostrate chamise
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Family: Rosaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Adenostoma fasciculatum var. prostratum (Prostrate chamise) is a native California shrub in the Rosaceae family, recognized by distinctive prostrate growth form and coastal/island distribution.
Prostrate chamise is a California native shrub found in the central coastal and Channel Islands bioregions on dry slopes and ridges in chaparral at elevations below 750 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white flowers in compact clusters. Growing as a low-spreading shrub less than 0.5 meters tall with decumbent branches, it forms a mounded, prostrate habit. Its leaves are narrow, generally linear to oblanceolate, with acute tips measuring 1.9 to 6.3 millimeters long. The twigs are glabrous, giving the plant a smooth, refined appearance in its native chaparral habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinctive prostrate growth form and coastal/island distribution
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry slopes, ridges, chaparral
Elevation: < 750 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, Los Angeles
Bloom period
Adenostoma fasciculatum var. prostratum 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. prostratum native to California?
Yes. Adenostoma fasciculatum var. prostratum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Adenostoma fasciculatum var. prostratum bloom?
Adenostoma fasciculatum var. prostratum blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Adenostoma fasciculatum var. prostratum grow?
Adenostoma fasciculatum var. prostratum occurs in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, at elevations of < 750 m.
What plant family does Adenostoma fasciculatum var. prostratum belong to?
Adenostoma fasciculatum var. prostratum is in the Rosaceae family, genus Adenostoma.
What habitat does Adenostoma fasciculatum var. prostratum grow in?
Adenostoma fasciculatum var. prostratum grows in dry slopes, ridges, chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.