Lepidospartum latisquamum
Nevada broomsage
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Lepidospartum latisquamum (Nevada broomsage) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by elevation and habitat clearly diagnostic.
Nevada broomsage is a California native shrub found in northern Transverse Ranges, White and Inyo Mountains, and eastern Desert Mountains on sandy or gravelly soil in pine and juniper woodland and open scrub at elevations of 1,400 to 2,400 meters. Flowering from June to October, this plant produces pale yellow flowers in heads with distinctive white to slightly brown pappus bristles. Growing with narrow stems featuring glabrous ribs and felted-tomentose grooves, the shrub reaches a slender form with short-hairy leaves that may become glabrous with age. Its leaves are short-haired, transitioning to smoother surfaces as the plant matures, creating a subtly changing texture across its structure. The fruit is 5 to 6.5 millimeters long with five prominent veins, contributing to the plant's distinctive appearance in its arid woodland habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; elevation and habitat clearly diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy or gravelly soil; pine/juniper woodland, open scrub
Elevation: 1400-2400 m
Outside California: to Utah
Bloom period
Lepidospartum latisquamum blooms Jun-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Ericameria: Ericameria (goldenbushes) keep narrow green leaves along the stems and cluster many small heads; Lepidospartum has broom-like, nearly leafless green twigs with only appressed scale leaves.; vs Ericameria nauseosa: rabbitbrush twigs stay covered in felt-like gray-white tomentum with slender leaves; Lepidospartum's twigs become green and glabrous with tiny scale leaves.; vs Gutierrezia: Gutierrezia (matchweed) is a low subshrub with tiny radiate heads and thread-like green leaves; Lepidospartum is a larger shrub with discoid (rayless) heads and scale leaves.; vs Spartium: broom shrubs (Spartium/Cytisus) also have green rush-like stems but bear pea-shaped flowers and pods; Lepidospartum bears composite yellow flower heads with pappus-bearing seeds.; vs Bebbia: Bebbia (sweetbush) is a green-twigged shrub with discoid heads but has opposite, often toothed leaves; Lepidospartum has alternate scale leaves appressed to the twigs.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lepidospartum latisquamum native to California?
Yes. Lepidospartum latisquamum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lepidospartum latisquamum bloom?
Lepidospartum latisquamum blooms Jun-Oct.
What plant family does Lepidospartum latisquamum belong to?
Lepidospartum latisquamum is in the Asteraceae family, genus Lepidospartum.
What habitat does Lepidospartum latisquamum grow in?
Lepidospartum latisquamum grows in Sandy or gravelly soil; pine/juniper woodland, open scrub.
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.