Isocoma acradenia var. bracteosa
Bracted alkali goldenbush
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Isocoma acradenia var. bracteosa (Bracted alkali goldenbush) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by closely subtended involucre and grading bracts diagnostic.
Bracted alkali goldenbush is a California native shrub found in the San Joaquin Valley, northern Central Coast, southern coastal ranges, and northwestern Mojave Desert in sandy, alkaline soils at elevations below 900 meters. Flowering from August to November, this plant produces yellow flowers in compact clusters subtended by distinctive bracts. Growing up to 90 centimeters tall with reduced, sometimes toothed leaves that grade into bract-like structures, it forms a compact and adaptable desert shrub. Its leaves are typically less than 5 centimeters long, becoming progressively smaller and more bract-like toward the plant's upper portions. The flower heads are characterized by 25 to 36 phyllaries arranged in 4 to 6 series, with blunt to acute tips that are abruptly soft-pointed.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; closely subtended involucre and grading bracts diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy, alkaline soils
Elevation: < 900 m
Bloom period
Isocoma acradenia var. bracteosa 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. bracteosa native to California?
Yes. Isocoma acradenia var. bracteosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Isocoma acradenia var. bracteosa bloom?
Isocoma acradenia var. bracteosa blooms Aug-Nov.
What plant family does Isocoma acradenia var. bracteosa belong to?
Isocoma acradenia var. bracteosa is in the Asteraceae family, genus Isocoma.
What habitat does Isocoma acradenia var. bracteosa grow in?
Isocoma acradenia var. bracteosa grows in Sandy, alkaline soils.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Isocoma menziesii var. menziesii — Menzies' 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.