Bebbia juncea var. aspera
Rough sweetbush
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Bebbia juncea var. aspera (Rough sweetbush) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Only Bebbia species in California, distinguished by drought-deciduous habit and broom-like green stems.
Rough sweetbush is a California native shrub found in the southwestern and desert bioregions on dry, rocky slopes, desert plains, and washes at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces small yellow flowers in heads 4 to 15 millimeters in diameter. Growing as a much-branched, rounded bush up to 3 meters wide, it forms an intricate network of stems 50 to 150 centimeters tall. Its drought-deciduous leaves are narrow and linear, ranging 1 to 3 centimeters long, with occasional sharp pinnate lobes. The shrub's compact, branching structure and ability to thrive in harsh desert environments make it a resilient and distinctive plant of arid landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only Bebbia species in California, distinguished by drought-deciduous habit and broom-like green stems
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Dry, rocky slopes, desert plains, washes
Elevation: < 1500 m
Outside California: to southern Nevada, Texas, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Bebbia juncea var. aspera blooms Generally Apr-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Adenophyllum: Bebbia has nearly leafless stems and plumose pappus; Adenophyllum has divided leafy foliage.; vs Acamptopappus: Bebbia has chaffy receptacle and plumose pappus; Acamptopappus lacks chaffy scales and has different pappus.; vs Stephanomeria: Bebbia is shrubby with plumose pappus; Stephanomeria is herbaceous with milky sap.; vs Encelia: Bebbia has nearly leafless stems; Encelia has obvious large oval leaves clothing the stems.; vs Lepidospartum: Bebbia has plumose feathery pappus bristles; Lepidospartum has non-plumose pappus.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bebbia juncea var. aspera native to California?
Yes. Bebbia juncea var. aspera is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Bebbia juncea var. aspera bloom?
Bebbia juncea var. aspera blooms Generally Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Bebbia juncea var. aspera belong to?
Bebbia juncea var. aspera is in the Asteraceae family, genus Bebbia.
What habitat does Bebbia juncea var. aspera grow in?
Bebbia juncea var. aspera grows in Common. Dry, rocky slopes, desert plains, washes.
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.