Brickellia atractyloides var. arguta
Pungent brickellbush, Pungent Brickellbush
(c) W. Terry Hunefeld, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by W. Terry Hunefeld · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Brickellia atractyloides var. arguta (Pungent brickellbush) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by leaf shape, pubescence, and flower color.
Pungent brickellbush is a California native shrub found in the Desert bioregion on mountain slopes and washes at elevations of 100 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces cream flowers often tinged with purple in compact clusters with distinctive lance-shaped phyllaries. Growing with branching stems up to one meter tall, it forms a dense, multi-stemmed shrub with an upright habit. Its leaves are ovate, 10 to 20 millimeters long and 5 to 15 millimeters wide, with serrated edges and a mixture of erect glandular and glandless hairs giving the foliage a textured appearance. The plant produces 40 to 55 flowers in each inflorescence, creating a delicate yet robust botanical display.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species; distinguished by leaf shape, pubescence, and flower color
Habitat and range
Habitat: mountain slopes, washes
Elevation: 100-1500 m
Outside California: to Nevada, Arizona, Baja California
Bloom period
Brickellia atractyloides var. arguta blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Marrubium: Brickellia has cream flowers in heads; Marrubium has white flowers in whorls around stem with strongly wrinkled leaves.; vs Malacothamnus: Brickellia has composite flower heads; Malacothamnus has individual pink hibiscus-like flowers with fused stamens.; vs Atriplex: Brickellia has tubular flowers in heads; Atriplex has tiny greenish flowers and often has mealy gray coating on leaves.; vs Baccharis: Brickellia flowers are bisexual with protruding styles; Baccharis has separate male and female plants with styles hidden.; vs Bahiopsis: Brickellia lacks ray petals entirely; Bahiopsis has bright yellow ray petals surrounding the flower head.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brickellia atractyloides var. arguta native to California?
Yes. Brickellia atractyloides var. arguta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Brickellia atractyloides var. arguta bloom?
Brickellia atractyloides var. arguta blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Brickellia atractyloides var. arguta belong to?
Brickellia atractyloides var. arguta is in the Asteraceae family, genus Brickellia.
What habitat does Brickellia atractyloides var. arguta grow in?
Brickellia atractyloides var. arguta grows in mountain slopes, washes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Brickellia atractyloides var. atractyloides — Spearleaf brickellbush
- Brickellia atractyloides var. odontolepis — California spear leaved brickellia
- Brickellia californica — California brickellbush
- Brickellia desertorum — Desert brickellbush
- Brickellia frutescens — Shrubby brickellbush
- Brickellia grandiflora — Large flowered brickelbush
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.