Brickellia atractyloides var. atractyloides
Spearleaf brickellbush
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Brickellia atractyloides var. atractyloides (Spearleaf brickellbush) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by habitat preference and leaf variability are key.
Spearleaf brickellbush is a California native shrub found in the Mojave Desert in rock crevices, cliff faces, and talus slopes at elevations of 600 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from March to September, this plant produces pale yellow-green flowers in clusters with distinctive phyllaries. Growing with erect stems that form a compact shrubby habit, it develops a sturdy presence in harsh desert environments. Its leaves are notably variable, ranging from 10 to 50 millimeters long and 5 to 25 millimeters wide, with deltate, lanceolate, or ovate blades that can be sharply toothed or smooth-edged. The plant's adaptability is evident in its ability to thrive in rocky, exposed terrain with leaves that may be entirely glabrous or minutely glandular.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; habitat preference and leaf variability are key
Habitat and range
Habitat: rock crevices, cliff faces, talus slopes
Elevation: 600-1600 m
Outside California: to Colorado, Arizona
Bloom period
Brickellia atractyloides var. atractyloides blooms Mar-Sep.
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. atractyloides native to California?
Yes. Brickellia atractyloides var. atractyloides is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Brickellia atractyloides var. atractyloides bloom?
Brickellia atractyloides var. atractyloides blooms Mar-Sep.
What plant family does Brickellia atractyloides var. atractyloides belong to?
Brickellia atractyloides var. atractyloides is in the Asteraceae family, genus Brickellia.
What habitat does Brickellia atractyloides var. atractyloides grow in?
Brickellia atractyloides var. atractyloides grows in rock crevices, cliff faces, talus slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Brickellia greenei — Greene brickellbush
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.