Brickellia greenei
Greene brickellbush
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Brickellia greenei (Greene brickellbush) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by sticky leaves and large heads with many flowers.
Greene brickellbush is a California native perennial found in northwestern California, the northern Sierra Nevada, and high Cascade Range in open rocky slopes, canyon bottoms, and riparian areas at elevations of 800 to 2,700 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces yellow-green flowers often tinged with purple in heads 14 to 18 millimeters wide, arranged in open clusters. Growing with branched stems 20 to 50 centimeters tall, covered in glandular and long soft wavy hairs, it emerges from a woody base. Its alternate leaves are ovate, 15 to 30 millimeters long, with serrated edges and sticky glandular surfaces. The fruit is 5.5 to 7 millimeters long with 20 to 30 pappus bristles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; sticky leaves and large heads with many flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open rocky slopes, canyon bottoms, riparian areas, serpentine soils
Elevation: 800-2700 m
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Brickellia greenei blooms Jul-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 greenei native to California?
Yes. Brickellia greenei is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Brickellia greenei bloom?
Brickellia greenei blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Brickellia greenei belong to?
Brickellia greenei is in the Asteraceae family, genus Brickellia.
What habitat does Brickellia greenei grow in?
Brickellia greenei grows in Open rocky slopes, canyon bottoms, riparian areas, serpentine soils.
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.