Brickellia atractyloides var. odontolepis
California spear leaved brickellia
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Brickellia atractyloides var. odontolepis (California spear leaved brickellia) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by toothed phyllaries distinguish from var. arguta.
California spear leaved brickellia is a native shrub found in southern Desert Mountains and southern Desert Sonoran regions 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 dense clusters. Growing with erect stems up to one meter tall, it develops a shrubby, multi-branched structure. Its leaves are ovate, 10 to 20 millimeters long and 5 to 15 millimeters wide, with serrated edges and a strigose surface that is often glandular. The plant's distinctive lance-ovate phyllaries and delicate cream-and-purple flowers make it a notable component of its desert mountain habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species; toothed phyllaries distinguish from var. arguta
Habitat and range
Habitat: mountain slopes, washes
Elevation: 100-1500 m
California counties: San Diego, San Bernardino, Inyo, Imperial
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Brickellia atractyloides var. odontolepis 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. odontolepis native to California?
Yes. Brickellia atractyloides var. odontolepis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Brickellia atractyloides var. odontolepis bloom?
Brickellia atractyloides var. odontolepis blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Brickellia atractyloides var. odontolepis grow?
Brickellia atractyloides var. odontolepis occurs in San Diego, San Bernardino, Inyo, Imperial, at elevations of 100-1500 m.
What plant family does Brickellia atractyloides var. odontolepis belong to?
Brickellia atractyloides var. odontolepis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Brickellia.
What habitat does Brickellia atractyloides var. odontolepis grow in?
Brickellia atractyloides var. odontolepis grows in mountain slopes, 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.