Encelia californica
Bush sunflower
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Encelia californica (Bush sunflower) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by brown-purple disk flowers vs yellow in others.
Bush sunflower is a California native shrub found in southern Coastal California, Channel Islands, western Transverse Ranges, and western Peninsular Ranges in coastal scrub habitats at elevations below 600 meters. Flowering from February to June, this plant produces yellow ray flowers 15 to 35 millimeters long with brown-purple disk centers in large radiant heads. Growing 50 to 150 centimeters tall with many slender branches emerging from its base, it develops smooth or roughened bark on older stems. Its scattered leaves are diamond-shaped or narrowly ovate, 3 to 6 centimeters long, appearing green and slightly bristly or glabrous. The plant forms compact clusters with distinctive yellow sunflower-like blooms characteristic of its coastal and scrub environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; key feature is brown-purple disk flowers vs yellow in others
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal scrub
Elevation: < 600 m
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Encelia californica blooms Feb-Jun.
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 californica native to California?
Yes. Encelia californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Encelia californica bloom?
Encelia californica blooms Feb-Jun.
What plant family does Encelia californica belong to?
Encelia californica is in the Asteraceae family, genus Encelia.
What habitat does Encelia californica grow in?
Encelia californica grows in Coastal scrub.
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.