Ericameria ophitidis
Serpentine goldenbush
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Ericameria ophitidis (Serpentine goldenbush) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by serpentine specialist.
Serpentine goldenbush is a rare (CNPS 4.3) California native shrub found in southern Klamath Ranges and northern North Coast Ranges in open conifer forest, typically on serpentine soils at approximately 1,600 meters elevation. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces yellow flowers in small discoid heads clustered with leaf-like bracts. Growing as a compact shrub 10 to 30 centimeters tall with nearly glabrous, resinous stems, it develops a distinctive branching structure. Its leaves are narrow and linear, 5 to 15 millimeters long, recurved with abrupt pointed tips, and marked with glandular dots. The plant bears cylindrical flower heads with approximately 25 graduated phyllary series, creating a complex and intricate floral structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; serpentine specialist
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open conifer forest, generally on serpentine
Elevation: +- 1600 m.
Bloom period
Ericameria ophitidis blooms Jul-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 ophitidis native to California?
Yes. Ericameria ophitidis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ericameria ophitidis bloom?
Ericameria ophitidis blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Ericameria ophitidis belong to?
Ericameria ophitidis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Ericameria.
Is Ericameria ophitidis rare or endangered?
Ericameria ophitidis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
What habitat does Ericameria ophitidis grow in?
Ericameria ophitidis grows in Open conifer forest, generally on serpentine.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.