Brickellia longifolia
Longleaf brickellbush
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Brickellia longifolia (Longleaf brickellbush) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Long, narrow, entire, glossy/varnished leaves; nearly glabrous stems; heads in leafy clusters.
Longleaf brickellbush is a California native shrub found in dry, rocky habitats at elevations of 20 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from August to October, this plant produces cream-colored flowers in small heads 5 to 7 millimeters long, arranged in leafy panicle-like clusters. Growing with branched stems 20 to 200 centimeters tall that are nearly smooth and somewhat glossy, it has an open, spreading form. Its alternate leaves are distinctive, with blades 3 to 5 centimeters long, entire or nearly so, with rounded or tapered bases and acuminate tips that appear varnished or glossy. The small fruits are scabrous, with 30 to 40 delicate pappus bristles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Long, narrow, entire, glossy/varnished leaves; nearly glabrous stems; heads in leafy clusters
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 longifolia native to California?
Yes. Brickellia longifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Brickellia longifolia belong to?
Brickellia longifolia is in the Asteraceae family, genus Brickellia.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Brickellia nevinii — Nevin's 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.