Brickellia longifolia var. longifolia
Longleaf brickellbush
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Brickellia longifolia var. longifolia (Longleaf brickellbush) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by linear leaves with high length/width ratio.
Longleaf brickellbush is a California native shrub found in southern Sierra Nevada foothills and northern and western Mojave Desert in rocky washes and near springs at elevations of 900 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from September to November, this plant produces white flowers in small clusters with delicate, narrow heads. Growing with multiple upright stems 30 to 60 centimeters tall, it forms a compact and somewhat sparse shrub structure. Its leaves are distinctively narrow, linear to lance-linear, measuring 10 to 130 millimeters long and 2 to 9 millimeters wide, with a tapered base and flat blade. In dry desert and foothill environments, this brickellbush demonstrates remarkable adaptation to sparse, rocky landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; linear leaves with high length/width ratio
Habitat and range
Habitat: uncommon; washes, springs
Elevation: 900-1700 m
Outside California: to Utah, Arizona
Bloom period
Brickellia longifolia var. longifolia blooms Sep-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 longifolia var. longifolia native to California?
Yes. Brickellia longifolia var. longifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Brickellia longifolia var. longifolia bloom?
Brickellia longifolia var. longifolia blooms Sep-Nov.
What plant family does Brickellia longifolia var. longifolia belong to?
Brickellia longifolia var. longifolia is in the Asteraceae family, genus Brickellia.
What habitat does Brickellia longifolia var. longifolia grow in?
Brickellia longifolia var. longifolia grows in uncommon; washes, springs.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Brickellia oblongifolia var. linifolia — Narrow leaved brickellia
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.