Ambrosia ilicifolia
Holly-leaved bur-sage
(c) Bob Miller, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Bob Miller · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Ambrosia ilicifolia (Holly-leaved bur-sage) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by spiny holly-like leaves unique in genus.
Holly-leaved bur-sage is a California native shrub found in the southern desert region in sandy washes, rocky canyons, and creosote-bush scrub at elevations below 700 meters. Flowering from January to April, this plant produces small flowers in staminate heads with distinctive spiny, glandular phyllaries. Growing as a matted shrub less than one meter tall with erect, few-branched stems, it develops a dense, sticky appearance with glandular short-stiff hairs. Its leathery, dark green leaves are ovate to round, prominently veiny, sessile and clasping, with spine-tipped edges and spiny dentate margins. The fruit is a brown, spherical bur covered in 20 to 70 spiraled, strongly hooked spines less than 6 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; spiny holly-like leaves unique in genus
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy washes, rocky canyons, creosote-bush scrub
Elevation: < 700 m
Outside California: western Arizona, Baja California
Bloom period
Ambrosia ilicifolia blooms Jan-Apr.
How to tell it apart
vs Artemisia: Ambrosia produces spiny burs as fruits; Artemisia has tiny dry fruits without spines and strongly aromatic foliage.; vs Atriplex: Ambrosia has flower heads in spikes producing spiny burs; Atriplex has inconspicuous flowers with papery bracts and scurfy gray foliage.; vs Baccharis: Ambrosia has both male and female flowers on the same plant; Baccharis has male and female flowers on separate plants.; vs Eriogonum: Ambrosia has greenish flower heads producing spiny burs; Eriogonum has showy clusters of white, pink, or yellow flowers with papery bracts.; vs Salvia: Ambrosia has inconspicuous greenish flowers in the Asteraceae; Salvia has showy tubular lipped flowers typical of mints.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ambrosia ilicifolia native to California?
Yes. Ambrosia ilicifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ambrosia ilicifolia bloom?
Ambrosia ilicifolia blooms Jan-Apr.
What plant family does Ambrosia ilicifolia belong to?
Ambrosia ilicifolia is in the Asteraceae family, genus Ambrosia.
What habitat does Ambrosia ilicifolia grow in?
Ambrosia ilicifolia grows in Sandy washes, rocky canyons, creosote-bush scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.