Chamaebatia australis
Southern mountain misery, Southern Mountain Misery
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Family: Rosaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Chamaebatia australis (Southern mountain misery) is a native California shrub in the Rosaceae family, recognized by No sympatric species - geographically isolated in Peninsular Ranges.
Southern mountain misery is a California native shrub found in the southern Peninsular Ranges in dry chaparral slopes at elevations of 300 to 1,230 meters. Flowering from November to May, this plant produces white flowers with petals 4 to 6 millimeters long. Growing with stems that have a distinctive gray-black bark, it forms possibly colonial stands 1 to 2 meters tall. Its finely divided leaves are 3 to 6 centimeters long, creating a dense, feathery appearance. The flower hypanthium is approximately 3 millimeters long, with sepals of similar length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: No sympatric species - geographically isolated in Peninsular Ranges
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry slopes, chaparral
Elevation: 300-1230 m
California counties: San Diego, Los Angeles
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Chamaebatia australis blooms Nov-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
How to tell it apart
vs Chamaebatiaria: Chamaebatia has more finely divided leaves and produces single-seeded achenes; desertsweet has fewer, larger leaf segments and pod-like follicles.; vs Achillea: Chamaebatia is a woody shrub with single white flowers; yarrow is herbaceous with dense flat-topped flower clusters.; vs Phacelia: Chamaebatia has white flowers and aromatic sticky foliage; Phacelia has coiled flower clusters and lacks strong scent.; vs Drymocallis: Chamaebatia has fern-like leaves divided into tiny segments; Drymocallis has larger, toothed leaflets.; vs Purshia: Chamaebatia has finely divided fern-like leaves; Purshia has wedge-shaped leaves with 3-9 lobes only at tip.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chamaebatia australis native to California?
Yes. Chamaebatia australis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chamaebatia australis bloom?
Chamaebatia australis blooms Nov-May.
Where in California does Chamaebatia australis grow?
Chamaebatia australis occurs in San Diego, Los Angeles, at elevations of 300-1230 m.
What plant family does Chamaebatia australis belong to?
Chamaebatia australis is in the Rosaceae family, genus Chamaebatia.
Is Chamaebatia australis rare or endangered?
Chamaebatia australis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.