Trixis californica var. californica
California trixis
Julia Lynam, National Park Service (via Wikimedia Commons) · CC0
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Trixis californica var. californica (California trixis) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Unique bilabiate corolla morphology distinctive among California Asteraceae; desert shrub habit unusual in family.
California trixis is a native shrub found in southeastern Mojave Desert and Sonoran Desert regions on dry, rocky slopes, washes, and desert flats at elevations generally up to 1,300 meters. Flowering from January to May and again in July and August, this plant produces yellow flowers in compact clusters with spreading outer petals 5 to 8 millimeters long. Growing with erect, stiff, and much-branched stems 20 to 200 centimeters tall, it develops a densely branched structure with a glandular and short-hairy appearance. Its numerous leaves are lance-linear to lanceolate, 2 to 11 centimeters long, with margins often rolled under and pointed at both ends. The fruit is 6 to 10.5 millimeters long, topped with a dull white pappus 7.5 to 12 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Unique bilabiate corolla morphology distinctive among California Asteraceae; desert shrub habit unusual in family
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, rocky slopes, washes, desert flats
Elevation: generally <= 1300 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Imperial, Riverside, San Diego, Inyo, Santa Barbara
Outside California: to Texas, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Trixis californica var. californica blooms Jan-May, Jul--Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Ericameria: Trixis has distinctive two-lipped flowers; Ericameria has typical clustered disc flowers.; vs Brickellia: Trixis has bright yellow flowers; Brickellia has white to purple flowers.; vs Encelia: Trixis flowers are two-lipped and tubular; Encelia has classic yellow daisy-like rays.; vs Xylorhiza: Trixis has two-lipped yellow flowers; Xylorhiza has purple/white rays with yellow centers.; vs Acourtia: Trixis is a woody desert shrub; Acourtia is herbaceous in Mediterranean climates.
Frequently asked questions
Is Trixis californica var. californica native to California?
Yes. Trixis californica var. californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Trixis californica var. californica bloom?
Trixis californica var. californica blooms Jan-May, Jul--Aug.
Where in California does Trixis californica var. californica grow?
Trixis californica var. californica occurs in San Bernardino, Imperial, Riverside, San Diego, Inyo, Santa Barbara, at elevations of generally <= 1300 m.
What plant family does Trixis californica var. californica belong to?
Trixis californica var. californica is in the Asteraceae family, genus Trixis.
What habitat does Trixis californica var. californica grow in?
Trixis californica var. californica grows in Dry, rocky slopes, washes, desert flats.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.