Peucephyllum schottii
Desert fir
(c) Bob Miller, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Bob Miller · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Peucephyllum schottii (Desert fir) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Monotypic desert genus, distinctive arborescent growth form.
Desert fir is a California native shrub found in the southeastern desert bioregion in rocky slopes and creosote-bush scrub at elevations below 1,400 meters. Flowering from December to June, this plant produces pale yellow to purple-tipped flowers in solitary discoid heads approximately 8 to 12 millimeters long. Growing as a rounded shrub up to 3 meters tall with densely leafy green stems, it has a distinctive branching structure. Its leaves are narrow, linear, and thick, ranging 1 to 2 centimeters long, with a resinous, gland-dotted surface that gives the plant a varnished appearance. The fruit is a dark, bristly seed 3 to 4 millimeters long with a straw-colored to red-brown pappus of fine bristles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Monotypic desert genus, distinctive arborescent growth form
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, washes, creosote-bush scrub
Elevation: < 1400 m
Outside California: to Utah, Arizona, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Peucephyllum schottii blooms Dec-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Ericameria: Peucephyllum is smooth with resinous glands and needle-like leaves; Ericameria has woolly hairs and small narrow leaves.; vs Chrysothamnus: Peucephyllum has 9-18 bracts in 1-2 rows; Chrysothamnus has many bracts in 5 vertical rows.; vs Isocoma: Peucephyllum has needle-like leaves and conifer appearance; Isocoma has small narrow leaves without conifer look.; vs Cuniculotinus: Peucephyllum has needle-like leaves and resinous surface; Cuniculotinus has lance-shaped leaves without resin.; vs Helichrysum: Peucephyllum has needle-like resinous leaves; Helichrysum has broader leaves with papery white/pink bracts.
Frequently asked questions
Is Peucephyllum schottii native to California?
Yes. Peucephyllum schottii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Peucephyllum schottii bloom?
Peucephyllum schottii blooms Dec-Jun.
What plant family does Peucephyllum schottii belong to?
Peucephyllum schottii is in the Asteraceae family, genus Peucephyllum.
What habitat does Peucephyllum schottii grow in?
Peucephyllum schottii grows in Rocky slopes, washes, creosote-bush 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.