Crocanthemum suffrutescens

Bisbee peak rush-rose, Bisbee Peak Rush-Rose

Crocanthemum suffrutescens (Bisbee peak rush-rose), native California shrub

Photo by Chez Brungraber

Family: Cistaceae · Type: Shrub · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 3.2

Crocanthemum suffrutescens (Bisbee peak rush-rose) is a native California shrub in the Cistaceae family, recognized by 2 sympatric taxa listed but geographic separation is key.

Bisbee peak rush-rose is a California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada Foothills in shallow soils of Ione Formation chaparral at elevations of 100 to 700 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces yellow flowers with obovate petals 8 to 12 millimeters long. Growing with erect stems 35 to 80 centimeters tall, it forms a somewhat woody base. Its leaves are small, with blades 10 to 30 millimeters long and 2 to 8 millimeters wide, featuring extremely short or absent petioles. The fruit is approximately 3.5 to 4.3 millimeters long.

Identification and appearance

Key characters: Geographically isolated to Sierra foothills with specific soil requirements; 2 sympatric taxa listed but geographic separation is key

Habitat and range

Habitat: Shallow soils of Ione Formation in chaparral

Elevation: 100-700 m

California counties: El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras

Bloom period

Crocanthemum suffrutescens blooms Apr-Jun.

Conservation status

CNPS 3.2

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 suffrutescens native to California?

Yes. Crocanthemum suffrutescens is native to California (recorded as native).

When does Crocanthemum suffrutescens bloom?

Crocanthemum suffrutescens blooms Apr-Jun.

Where in California does Crocanthemum suffrutescens grow?

Crocanthemum suffrutescens occurs in El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras, at elevations of 100-700 m.

What plant family does Crocanthemum suffrutescens belong to?

Crocanthemum suffrutescens is in the Cistaceae family, genus Crocanthemum.

Is Crocanthemum suffrutescens rare or endangered?

Crocanthemum suffrutescens carries California Rare Plant Rank 3.2, state rank S2?.

Related species

Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.

All Crocanthemum species · All Cistaceae

Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB

Last updated 2026-10-08

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.