Brickellia knappiana
Knapp brickellbush
(c) Oscar C. González Martínez, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Oscar C. González Martínez · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Brickellia knappiana (Knapp brickellbush) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by glandular leaves and few-flowered heads.
Knapp brickellbush is a California native shrub found in the northern and eastern Panamint, northern Kingston, Funeral, and southwestern Argus mountain ranges of the Mojave Desert at elevations of 700 to 1,700 meters in gravelly washes. Flowering from September to October, this shrub produces white flowers in panicle-like clusters with heads 6 to 9 millimeters long. Growing 1 to 2 meters tall with arching branches that are gland-dotted and branched near the base, it has a distinctive spreading form. Its alternate leaves are lanceolate, 10 to 35 millimeters long and 1 to 16 millimeters wide, with toothed edges and densely gland-dotted surfaces that give the foliage a distinctive textured appearance. The fruit is covered in fine hairs and bears 28 to 32 delicate pappus bristles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; glandular leaves and few-flowered heads
Habitat and range
Habitat: gravelly washes
Elevation: 700-1700 m
Bloom period
Brickellia knappiana blooms Sep-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 knappiana native to California?
Yes. Brickellia knappiana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Brickellia knappiana bloom?
Brickellia knappiana blooms Sep-Oct.
What plant family does Brickellia knappiana belong to?
Brickellia knappiana is in the Asteraceae family, genus Brickellia.
What habitat does Brickellia knappiana grow in?
Brickellia knappiana grows in gravelly washes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Brickellia longifolia — Longleaf brickellbush
- Brickellia longifolia var. longifolia — Longleaf brickellbush
- Brickellia longifolia var. multiflora — Longleaf brickellbush
- Brickellia microphylla — Little leaved brickellia
- Brickellia microphylla var. microphylla — Littleleaf brickellbush
- Brickellia microphylla var. scabra — Rough brickellbush
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.