Crocanthemum scoparium
Peak rush-rose, Peak Rush-Rose
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Family: Cistaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Crocanthemum scoparium (Peak rush-rose) is a native California shrub in the Cistaceae family.
Peak rush-rose is a California native perennial found in rocky, open areas at elevations of 1,000 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces delicate yellow flowers with rounded petals 4 to 8 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems 10 to 45 centimeters tall, it forms compact, low-growing clumps with wiry branching. Its small leaves are narrow, measuring 5 to 11 millimeters long and less than 2 millimeters wide, creating a fine-textured appearance. The fruit is small, approximately 3 to 4 millimeters long, containing 6 to 10 seeds.
Habitat and range
California counties: San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Amador, Riverside, Monterey, San Mateo, San Luis Obispo, Napa, Marin, Ventura, San Bernardino, Sutter, Sonoma, Solano, Colusa, Mendocino, Yolo
How to tell it apart
vs Helianthemum: Crocanthemum has alternate stem leaves; Helianthemum has opposite stem leaves.; vs Acmispon: Acmispon has compound leaves with 3-5 leaflets and pea-shaped flowers; Crocanthemum has simple leaves and flat 5-petaled flowers.; vs Dendromecon: Dendromecon is a large shrub with leathery gray-green leaves; Crocanthemum is a ground-hugging herb.; vs Oenothera: Oenothera flowers have 4 petals and an X-shaped stigma; Crocanthemum has 5 petals.; vs Eschscholzia: Eschscholzia has finely dissected ferny leaves; Crocanthemum has simple entire leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Crocanthemum scoparium native to California?
Yes. Crocanthemum scoparium is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Crocanthemum scoparium grow?
Crocanthemum scoparium occurs in San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Amador, Riverside, Monterey, San Mateo, San Luis Obispo and other counties.
What plant family does Crocanthemum scoparium belong to?
Crocanthemum scoparium is in the Cistaceae family, genus Crocanthemum.
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.