Encelia actoni
Acton encelia
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Encelia actoni (Acton encelia) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by silvery canescent leaves, scattered leaf arrangement, and radiate heads.
Acton encelia is a California native shrub found in southern Sierra Nevada foothills, southern San Joaquin Valley, northern Transverse Ranges, eastern Peninsular Ranges, White and Inyo Mountains, southern Sierra Nevada east of crest, and western Deserts in open areas and rocky slopes at elevations of 200 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from February to July, this plant produces yellow ray flowers with yellow disk centers in heads surrounded by silvery green bracts. Growing with slender, branching stems 50 to 150 centimeters tall that develop fissured bark with age, it has a distinctive multi-branched form emerging from the base. Its scattered leaves are ovate to triangular, 2.5 to 4 centimeters long, with a silvery green canescent surface and acute tips. The fruit is 5 to 7 millimeters long with minimal to no pappus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; key features are silvery canescent leaves, scattered leaf arrangement, and radiate heads
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open areas, rocky slopes, roadsides
Elevation: 200-2100 m
Outside California: southwestern Nevada, northern Baja California
Bloom period
Encelia actoni blooms Feb-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Helianthus: Woody shrub with permanent stems vs. soft-stemmed annual/perennial herb.; vs Salvia: Yellow daisy flowers in Asteraceae vs. tubular flowers with two lips in mint family.; vs Bahiopsis: Generally coastal/desert scrub habitat vs. more restricted range in Bahiopsis.; vs Verbesina: Woody shrub form vs. herbaceous in Verbesina.; vs Geraea: Woody perennial shrub vs. annual herb in desert dandelion (Geraea).
Frequently asked questions
Is Encelia actoni native to California?
Yes. Encelia actoni is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Encelia actoni bloom?
Encelia actoni blooms Feb-Jul.
What plant family does Encelia actoni belong to?
Encelia actoni is in the Asteraceae family, genus Encelia.
What habitat does Encelia actoni grow in?
Encelia actoni grows in Open areas, rocky slopes, roadsides.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.