Ericameria cuneata var. spathulata
Cliff goldenbush
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Ericameria cuneata var. spathulata (Cliff goldenbush) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by spoon-shaped leaves distinguish from other varieties.
Cliff goldenbush is a California native shrub found in the Tehachapi Mountains, southern Coast Ranges, and Mojave Desert on rock outcrops at elevations of 100 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from September to November, this plant produces yellow flowers in small discoid heads approximately 5 to 8 millimeters in diameter. Growing with a compact form and woody stems, it reaches heights of around 1 meter with a dense, somewhat structured growth habit. Its leaves are distinctively spoon-shaped, 9 to 25 millimeters long, with a petiole-like base and broadly obtuse or notched tips, creating a unique texture and appearance. Each flower cluster contains 7 to 15 disk flowers, contributing to its delicate yet robust botanical structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 25 sympatric species; spoon-shaped leaves distinguish from other varieties
Habitat and range
Habitat: rock outcrops
Elevation: 100-1900 m
Outside California: southern Nevada, Arizona, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Ericameria cuneata var. spathulata blooms Sep-Nov.
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. spathulata native to California?
Yes. Ericameria cuneata var. spathulata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ericameria cuneata var. spathulata bloom?
Ericameria cuneata var. spathulata blooms Sep-Nov.
What plant family does Ericameria cuneata var. spathulata belong to?
Ericameria cuneata var. spathulata is in the Asteraceae family, genus Ericameria.
What habitat does Ericameria cuneata var. spathulata grow in?
Ericameria cuneata var. spathulata grows in rock outcrops.
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.