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Asteraceae
Coast Sunflower
Encelia californica
Coastal sunshine.
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Genus
- Encelia
- Native to
- Coastal California, Baja California
- Bloom season
- Spring, Summer
- Type
- perennial shrub
- Height
- 3-5 ft
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- sandy, well-drained soil
- Water
- low
- Hardiness
- 9-11
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- Coast sunflower is one of the first native plants to colonize disturbed coastal bluffs and roadcuts in Southern California.
- The plant goes semi-dormant in summer drought, dropping many of its leaves to conserve water, then leafing out again with fall rains.
- The aromatic resin in the stems was used by native Chumash people as a type of chewing gum.
- Coast sunflower can bloom profusely after fire, taking advantage of reduced competition and nutrient-rich ash.
- Despite looking similar, it is easily distinguished from brittlebush (Encelia farinosa) by its green rather than silvery leaves.
Color meanings
0
optimism
1
warmth