Baccharis sarothroides
Broom baccharis, Broom Baccharis
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Baccharis sarothroides (Broom baccharis) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by distinctive broom-like habit with thick entire leaves and often leafless flowering branches.
Broom baccharis is a California native shrub found in the Peninsular Ranges and desert regions in gravelly and sandy washes at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering from August to November, this plant produces small white flowers in dense, cylindric heads arranged in panicle-like clusters. Growing as a much-branched, broom-like shrub up to 4 meters tall with dense, erect green stems that are often leafless near the flower clusters. Its leaves are narrow and linear-oblanceolate, less than 35 millimeters long and only 1 to 2 millimeters wide, with a single prominent midvein. The plant produces sticky, glabrous fruits with 8 to 10 ribs and a pappus 7 to 12 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; distinctive broom-like habit with thick entire leaves and often leafless flowering branches
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravelly, sandy washes, roadsides
Elevation: < 1500 m
Outside California: to Texas, northern Mexico, Baja California
Bloom period
Baccharis sarothroides blooms Aug-Nov.
How to tell it apart
vs Ericameria: Baccharis has sticky leaves and white fluffy seeds; Ericameria has narrow leaves and bright yellow ray flowers.; vs Salix: Baccharis has sticky resinous leaves and flower heads; Salix has fuzzy catkins and alternate leaves without resin.; vs Quercus: Baccharis has sticky leaves and fluffy seeds; Quercus has lobed or entire leaves and produces acorns.; vs Ceanothus: Baccharis has small clustered flower heads; Ceanothus has dense clusters of showy blue or white 5-petaled flowers.; vs Lepidospartum: Baccharis has sticky leafy branches; Lepidospartum has scale-like leaves on broom-like green stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Baccharis sarothroides native to California?
Yes. Baccharis sarothroides is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Baccharis sarothroides bloom?
Baccharis sarothroides blooms Aug-Nov.
What plant family does Baccharis sarothroides belong to?
Baccharis sarothroides is in the Asteraceae family, genus Baccharis.
What habitat does Baccharis sarothroides grow in?
Baccharis sarothroides grows in Gravelly, sandy washes, roadsides.
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.