Chrysothamnus humilis
Truckee rabbitbrush
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Chrysothamnus humilis (Truckee rabbitbrush) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by leafy-bracted involucres and low stature.
Truckee rabbitbrush is a California native shrub found in the northeastern Sierra Nevada and Modoc Plateau in sagebrush grassland at elevations of 1,400 to 3,040 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces pale yellow flowers in small clusters generally hidden by its leaves. Growing with leafy stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, covered in spreading conical hairs, it forms a branched woody base. Its oblanceolate leaves are 2 to 3 centimeters long, often covered with spreading conical hairs and featuring a single prominent vein. The fruit is 4.5 to 7 millimeters long, top-shaped and moderately strigose.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; diagnostic leafy-bracted involucres and low stature
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Sagebrush grassland
Elevation: 1400-3040 m
Outside California: to Washington, Idaho, Nevada
Bloom period
Chrysothamnus humilis blooms Jul-Aug.
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 humilis native to California?
Yes. Chrysothamnus humilis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chrysothamnus humilis bloom?
Chrysothamnus humilis blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Chrysothamnus humilis belong to?
Chrysothamnus humilis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Chrysothamnus.
What habitat does Chrysothamnus humilis grow in?
Chrysothamnus humilis grows in Uncommon. Sagebrush grassland.
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.