Senecio linearifolius var. linearifolius
Linear-leaved australian fireweed, Linear-Leaved Australian Fireweed
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Senecio linearifolius var. linearifolius (Linear-leaved australian fireweed) is a non-native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by tall shrubby form, very narrow rolled leaves, numerous small heads.
Linear-leaved australian fireweed is a naturalized shrub found in the Peninsular Ranges in seasonal wetlands, sandy soils, and disturbed areas at elevations of 50 to 100 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces yellow ray flowers 3 to 6 millimeters long in radiate heads clustered in flat-topped groups. Growing with multiple ascending stems 60 to 180 centimeters tall that are woody at the base and initially cobwebby, it develops glabrous stems over time. Its leaves are narrowly oblanceolate or linear-oblong, 2 to 7 centimeters long and 1 to 4 millimeters wide, often with triangular basal lobes and margins rolled under. The plant forms clusters of 10 to 50 flower heads with 13 phyllaries featuring dark green tips.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; key features are tall shrubby form, very narrow rolled leaves, numerous small heads
Habitat and range
Habitat: Seasonal wetland, sandy soils, drainage areas, disturbed areas
Elevation: 50-100 m
Outside California: Australia
Bloom period
Senecio linearifolius var. linearifolius blooms May-Oct.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
How to tell it apart
vs Packera: Senecio has larger leaves (over 2.5 inches) and often black-tipped bracts; Packera has tiny leaves (under 1.5 inches) with green or reddish tips.; vs Sonchus: Senecio has yellow daisy flowers with a neat single row of bracts; Sonchus has dandelion-like flowers and milky sap when broken.; vs Dudleya: Senecio is in the sunflower family with daisy flowers; Dudleya is a succulent with thick fleshy leaves and star-shaped flowers.; vs Ericameria: Senecio has one main row of equal bracts around flower heads; Ericameria has 2-4 overlapping rows of unequal bracts.; vs Taraxacum: Senecio has branching stems with multiple flower heads; Taraxacum has leafless hollow stems with single dandelion-like heads.
Frequently asked questions
Is Senecio linearifolius var. linearifolius native to California?
No. Senecio linearifolius var. linearifolius is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Senecio linearifolius var. linearifolius bloom?
Senecio linearifolius var. linearifolius blooms May-Oct.
What plant family does Senecio linearifolius var. linearifolius belong to?
Senecio linearifolius var. linearifolius is in the Asteraceae family, genus Senecio.
Is Senecio linearifolius var. linearifolius invasive in California?
Senecio linearifolius var. linearifolius is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
What habitat does Senecio linearifolius var. linearifolius grow in?
Senecio linearifolius var. linearifolius grows in Seasonal wetland, sandy soils, drainage areas, disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.