Isocoma acradenia
Alkali goldenbush
(c) user:pompilid, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Isocoma acradenia (Alkali goldenbush) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Desert/alkali-flat goldenbush; shiny yellow-white glabrous stems, narrow gland-dotted leaves (vs coastal, hairy I. menziesii).
Alkali goldenbush is a California native shrub found in desert and coastal regions in dry, alkaline habitats at low elevations. Flowering from summer to fall, this plant produces yellow flowers in compact clusters with heads 4 to 5 millimeters wide. Growing to 1.3 meters tall with an open or rounded form, it develops erect or ascending stems that are yellow-white and shiny, turning yellow-tan or gray with age. Its leaves are distinctive, ranging 1.5 to 6 centimeters long, linear to spoon-shaped, and light gray-green with gland-dotted surfaces. The plant produces small fruits 2 to 3.5 millimeters long with unequal white-yellow bristles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Desert/alkali-flat goldenbush; shiny yellow-white glabrous stems, narrow gland-dotted leaves (vs coastal, hairy I. menziesii)
How to tell it apart
vs Ericameria: Isocoma has randomly arranged bracts; Ericameria has bracts in 5 distinct vertical rows.; vs Hazardia: Isocoma has smooth or slightly hairy stems; Hazardia has densely hairy stems and leaves.; vs Baccharis: Isocoma has yellow bisexual flowers; Baccharis has whitish flowers on separate male/female plants.; vs Heterotheca: Isocoma has only disk flowers; Heterotheca has showy yellow ray flowers around the disk.; vs Eriogonum: Isocoma has yellow composite flowers; Eriogonum has small clustered flowers with colorful sepals but no petals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Isocoma acradenia native to California?
Yes. Isocoma acradenia is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Isocoma acradenia belong to?
Isocoma acradenia is in the Asteraceae family, genus Isocoma.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Isocoma acradenia var. acradenia — Alkali goldenbush
- Isocoma acradenia var. bracteosa — Bracted alkali goldenbush
- Isocoma acradenia var. eremophila — Solitary leaved alkali goldenbush
- Isocoma arguta — Carquinez goldenbush
- Isocoma menziesii — Coastal goldenbush
- Isocoma menziesii var. decumbens — Decumbent goldenbush
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.