Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus
Yellow rabbitbrush, Yellow Rabbitbrush
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus (Yellow rabbitbrush) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by 7 congeners; brittle-stemmed shrub with sticky (viscid), often twisted, wavy-margined 1-5-veined leaves; the most widespread….
Yellow rabbitbrush is a California native shrub found in various western bioregions, growing in dry, open habitats at elevations ranging from low to mid-elevation mountain zones. Flowering from August to October, this plant produces bright yellow flowers in dense, flat-topped or rounded clusters with heads 5 to 10 millimeters long. Growing with erect or spreading stems 10 to 150 centimeters tall, the shrub has a brittle structure that becomes white-tinged with age and features a branched woody base. Its leaves are distinctive, ranging from 1 to 7.5 centimeters long, thread-like to linear, often with wavy margins and a slightly sticky, grayish-green appearance. The plant is notable for its resilient nature, with stems that remain green when young and develop a white coloration as they mature.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 congeners; brittle-stemmed shrub with sticky (viscid), often twisted, wavy-margined 1-5-veined leaves; the most widespread Chrysothamnus in CA
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 viscidiflorus native to California?
Yes. Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus belong to?
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Chrysothamnus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.