Brickellia frutescens
Shrubby brickellbush
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Brickellia frutescens (Shrubby brickellbush) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by purple flowers unique in genus.
Shrubby brickellbush is a California native shrub found in the Sonoran Desert on granitic desert slopes and sandy terrain at elevations of 600 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from March to June and October to November, this plant produces purple flowers in small heads 9 to 11 millimeters long, often with purple-tinged phyllaries. Growing 30 to 60 centimeters tall with intricately branched stems that are short-rough-hairy and sparsely gland-dotted, it forms a compact desert shrub. Its alternate leaves are small and distinctive, measuring 3 to 12 millimeters long and 1 to 4 millimeters wide, with oblong to spoon-shaped blades that have tomentose surfaces and obscure veins. The fruit is 3.5 to 4.8 millimeters long with 26 to 30 minute bristles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; purple flowers unique in genus
Habitat and range
Habitat: granitic desert slopes, sand
Elevation: 600-1200 m
Outside California: Nevada, Baja California
Bloom period
Brickellia frutescens blooms Mar-Jun, Oct--Nov.
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 frutescens native to California?
Yes. Brickellia frutescens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Brickellia frutescens bloom?
Brickellia frutescens blooms Mar-Jun, Oct--Nov.
What plant family does Brickellia frutescens belong to?
Brickellia frutescens is in the Asteraceae family, genus Brickellia.
What habitat does Brickellia frutescens grow in?
Brickellia frutescens grows in granitic desert slopes, sand.
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.