Isocoma arguta

Carquinez goldenbush

Family: Asteraceae · Type: shrub · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1

Carquinez goldenbush is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in southern Sacramento Valley in alkaline grassland and low hill habitats at elevations below 20 meters. Flowering from August to December, this plant produces yellow flowers in compact clusters with involucres 4.5 to 7 millimeters wide. Growing to less than 0.5 meters tall with erect to slightly decumbent stems that branch at the base and have a scabrous texture. Its leaves are linear to oblong, light gray-green, less than 2 centimeters long, with serrate or pinnately lobed edges that have minutely awn-tipped teeth. The shrub features scattered stems that can have long hairs, creating a distinctive appearance in its sparse grassland environment.

Habitat: Alkaline soils, flats, low hills, grassland

Bloom period: Aug-Dec

Elevation: < 20 m

Bioregions: s ScV.

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.