Isocoma acradenia var. acradenia
Alkali goldenbush
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Isocoma acradenia var. acradenia (Alkali goldenbush) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by rounded phyllary tips diagnostic.
Alkali goldenbush is a California native shrub found in the San Joaquin Valley, southern Coast Ranges, San Bernarddo Mountains, and Mojave Desert in alkaline soils at elevations below 1,100 meters. Flowering from August to November, this plant produces yellow flowers in compact clusters with rounded phyllary tips. Growing to 80 centimeters tall with upright branching stems, it forms a dense and compact shrubby structure. Its leaves are relatively uniform, measuring up to 5 centimeters long, entire and unmodified throughout the plant's height. The shrub typically contains about 18 to 24 individual flowers in its characteristic inflorescence.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; rounded phyllary tips diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alkaline soils
Elevation: < 1100 m
Outside California: to Utah, Arizona, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Isocoma acradenia var. acradenia blooms Aug-Nov.
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 var. acradenia native to California?
Yes. Isocoma acradenia var. acradenia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Isocoma acradenia var. acradenia bloom?
Isocoma acradenia var. acradenia blooms Aug-Nov.
What plant family does Isocoma acradenia var. acradenia belong to?
Isocoma acradenia var. acradenia is in the Asteraceae family, genus Isocoma.
What habitat does Isocoma acradenia var. acradenia grow in?
Isocoma acradenia var. acradenia grows in Alkaline soils.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Isocoma menziesii var. diabolica — Satan's goldenbush
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.