Brickellia grandiflora
Large flowered brickelbush
(c) J Straka, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Brickellia grandiflora (Large flowered brickelbush) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by herbaceous habit and nodding heads diagnostic.
Large flowered brickelbush is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern California Coast Ranges, central Sierra Nevada Forests, and Sierra Nevada Highlands in rocky hillsides, shaded forests, and dry canyons at elevations of 1,200 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces pale yellow-green flowers in loose, nodding clusters with heads 7 to 12 millimeters long. Growing 30 to 95 centimeters tall with branched stems that are softly puberulent, it develops from a thick taprooted caudex. Its alternate or opposite leaves are lance-shaped to deltate-ovate, 15 to 120 millimeters long, with crenate or serrate edges and puberulent surfaces. The fruit is 4 to 5 millimeters long with 20 to 30 fine pappus bristles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; herbaceous habit and nodding heads diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky hillsides, shaded forest, dry slopes, canyons
Elevation: 1200-3000 m
Outside California: to Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Missouri, Texas, Mexico
Bloom period
Brickellia grandiflora blooms Jul-Oct.
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 grandiflora native to California?
Yes. Brickellia grandiflora is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Brickellia grandiflora bloom?
Brickellia grandiflora blooms Jul-Oct.
What plant family does Brickellia grandiflora belong to?
Brickellia grandiflora is in the Asteraceae family, genus Brickellia.
What habitat does Brickellia grandiflora grow in?
Brickellia grandiflora grows in Rocky hillsides, shaded forest, dry slopes, canyons.
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.