Chrysothamnus depressus
Long flowered rabbitbrush
(c) Bobby McCabe, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Bobby McCabe · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Chrysothamnus depressus (Long flowered rabbitbrush) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by long involucres and rough-hairy texture.
Long flowered rabbitbrush is a California native shrub found in the eastern desert mountains in rocky crevices, sagebrush, and pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations of 1,000 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from August to October, this plant produces yellow flowers in small clusters with involucres 9 to 15 millimeters long, featuring phyllaries in 5 to 6 distinct vertical ranks. Growing with unbranched stems 10 to 50 centimeters tall, it has a much-branched woody caudex and brittle stems covered in grayish hairs. Its leaves are oblanceolate, 1 to 3 centimeters long, flat, and rough-textured with a single prominent vein. The fruit is 5 to 6.5 millimeters long, cylindrical, and may have a few glandular hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; diagnostic long involucres and rough-hairy texture
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky crevices, sagebrush, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 1000-2100 m
Outside California: to Colorado, New Mexico
Bloom period
Chrysothamnus depressus blooms Aug-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Ericameria: Chrysothamnus has smooth/slightly fuzzy stems; Ericameria has densely woolly young stems.; vs Isocoma: Chrysothamnus has bracts in 5 vertical rows; Isocoma has randomly arranged bracts.; vs Gutierrezia: Chrysothamnus has only disk flowers per head; Gutierrezia has both ray and disk flowers.; vs Tetradymia: Chrysothamnus has 5 rows of many bracts; Tetradymia has only 4-6 bracts in 1-2 rows.; vs Cuniculotinus: Chrysothamnus has flower heads 5-10mm; Cuniculotinus has notably larger heads 10-17.5mm.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chrysothamnus depressus native to California?
Yes. Chrysothamnus depressus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chrysothamnus depressus bloom?
Chrysothamnus depressus blooms Aug-Oct.
What plant family does Chrysothamnus depressus belong to?
Chrysothamnus depressus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Chrysothamnus.
What habitat does Chrysothamnus depressus grow in?
Chrysothamnus depressus grows in Rocky crevices, sagebrush, pinyon/juniper woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.