Ericameria cuneata var. macrocephala
Laguna mountains goldenbush, Laguna Mountains Goldenbush
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Ericameria cuneata var. macrocephala (Laguna mountains goldenbush) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by very large flower heads and limited range.
Laguna mountains goldenbush is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native shrub found in the central Peninsular Ranges of San Diego County, specifically the Laguna Mountains, growing in rock crevices at elevations of 1,200 to 1,830 meters. Flowering from September to November, this plant produces yellow flowers in compact discoid heads 9 to 12 millimeters wide with 36 to 70 individual disk flowers. Growing as a compact shrub with distinctive branching, it develops leaves that are broadly obovate, roughly 12 to 20 millimeters long and 6 to 14 millimeters wide with a narrow, petiole-like base. Its leaves are arranged with a distinctive cuneate (wedge-shaped) structure, creating a unique architectural form in its rocky mountain habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; very large flower heads and limited range
Habitat and range
Habitat: rock crevices
Elevation: 1200-1830 m
Bloom period
Ericameria cuneata var. macrocephala blooms Sep-Nov.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
How to tell it apart
vs Isocoma: Ericameria has bracts in 5 vertical rows; Isocoma has randomly arranged bracts.; vs Chrysothamnus: Ericameria has woolly young stems and deep pitted glands; Chrysothamnus has smooth/slightly fuzzy stems and surface glands or none.; vs Baccharis: Ericameria has yellow bisexual flowers in each head; Baccharis has separate male/female plants with whitish flowers.; vs Artemisia: Ericameria has yellow flowers and gland-dotted leaves; Artemisia has greenish flowers and aromatic gray-hairy leaves.; vs Lepidospartum: Ericameria has small narrow leaves; Lepidospartum has scale-like leaves on green rush-like stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ericameria cuneata var. macrocephala native to California?
Yes. Ericameria cuneata var. macrocephala is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ericameria cuneata var. macrocephala bloom?
Ericameria cuneata var. macrocephala blooms Sep-Nov.
What plant family does Ericameria cuneata var. macrocephala belong to?
Ericameria cuneata var. macrocephala is in the Asteraceae family, genus Ericameria.
Is Ericameria cuneata var. macrocephala rare or endangered?
Ericameria cuneata var. macrocephala carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2S3.
What habitat does Ericameria cuneata var. macrocephala grow in?
Ericameria cuneata var. macrocephala grows in rock crevices.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.