Ericameria parishii var. parishii
Parish's goldenbush
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Ericameria parishii var. parishii (Parish's goldenbush) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by broad leathery leaves.
Parish's goldenbush is a California native shrub found in the southern mountains, desert mountains, and Peninsular Ranges in dry slopes, chaparral, and open forest at elevations of 400 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces yellow flowers in dense terminal clusters with heads 4 to 6.5 millimeters wide. Growing 1.5 to 5 meters tall with very leafy stems that are glabrous to slightly hairy and gland-dotted, it has a resinous quality. Its leathery leaves are 20 to 70 millimeters long, oblong to oblanceolate, and often slightly concave with gland-dotted pits. The fruit is 2 to 2.5 millimeters long with 12 or fewer veins and a copious dull white to brown pappus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species; broad leathery leaves are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry slopes, chaparral, open forest, especially after fires
Elevation: 400-2200 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara
Bloom period
Ericameria parishii var. parishii blooms Jul-Oct.
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 parishii var. parishii native to California?
Yes. Ericameria parishii var. parishii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ericameria parishii var. parishii bloom?
Ericameria parishii var. parishii blooms Jul-Oct.
Where in California does Ericameria parishii var. parishii grow?
Ericameria parishii var. parishii occurs in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, at elevations of 400-2200 m.
What plant family does Ericameria parishii var. parishii belong to?
Ericameria parishii var. parishii is in the Asteraceae family, genus Ericameria.
What habitat does Ericameria parishii var. parishii grow in?
Ericameria parishii var. parishii grows in dry slopes, chaparral, open forest, especially after fires.
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.