Isocoma menziesii
Coastal goldenbush, Coastal Goldenbush
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Isocoma menziesii (Coastal goldenbush) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Coastal goldenbush; broad (ob)ovate leaves, herbage often hairy/glandular; coastal & cismontane (vs desert I. acradenia).
Coastal goldenbush is a California native shrub found along the coastal regions in diverse habitats at elevations from sea level to moderate heights. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces bright yellow flowers in compact clusters of 4 to 10 heads. Growing with stems that range from prostrate to erect and reach up to 2 meters tall, the plant displays a versatile branching structure with stems varying from yellow-tan to gray-green or red-brown. Its leaves are broadly spoon-shaped, 0.7 to 4.5 centimeters long, gray-green in color, and often featuring gland-dotted surfaces. The plant forms compact to spreading mat-like formations, with stems that can be glabrous, minutely scabrous, or lightly tomentose.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Coastal goldenbush; broad (ob)ovate leaves, herbage often hairy/glandular; coastal & cismontane (vs desert I. acradenia)
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 menziesii native to California?
Yes. Isocoma menziesii is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Isocoma menziesii belong to?
Isocoma menziesii is in the Asteraceae family, genus Isocoma.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.