Isocoma menziesii var. decumbens
Decumbent goldenbush
(c) Millie Basden, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Millie Basden · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Isocoma menziesii var. decumbens (Decumbent goldenbush) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by prostrate/decumbent habit and coastal habitat diagnostic.
Decumbent goldenbush is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in southern California Coastal, southern Channel Islands, and southern Peninsula Ranges in sandy coastal scrub, chaparral, and dune habitats at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from July to November, this plant produces yellow flowers in loose or flat-topped clusters with heads 5 to 6.5 millimeters long. Growing 20 to 50 centimeters tall with prostrate or decumbent stems that are minutely glandular and sometimes finely gray-cobwebby. Its leaves are clustered in axils, narrowly oblanceolate, 5 to 22 millimeters long, typically entire or with a few distal teeth. The fruit is 2.3 to 3.6 millimeters long, contributing to its distinctive low-growing form in coastal and chaparral landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; prostrate/decumbent habit and coastal habitat diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy soil, chaparral, coastal scrub, landward side of dunes, hillsides, arroyos
Elevation: < 200 m
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Isocoma menziesii var. decumbens blooms Jul-Nov.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 var. decumbens native to California?
Yes. Isocoma menziesii var. decumbens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Isocoma menziesii var. decumbens bloom?
Isocoma menziesii var. decumbens blooms Jul-Nov.
What plant family does Isocoma menziesii var. decumbens belong to?
Isocoma menziesii var. decumbens is in the Asteraceae family, genus Isocoma.
Is Isocoma menziesii var. decumbens rare or endangered?
Isocoma menziesii var. decumbens carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Isocoma menziesii var. decumbens grow in?
Isocoma menziesii var. decumbens grows in Sandy soil, chaparral, coastal scrub, landward side of dunes, hillsides, arroyos.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.