Species Profiles
California Sagebrush
(Artemisia californica)
Family: Asteraceae
Habitat: Chaparral, Coastal Sage Scrub
Physical Description: Artemisia californica is a
perennial shrub that has hairy leaves and grows 60-100 inches
tall.
Animal Uses: The California Gnatcatcher, an
endangered species of bird, uses it as important habitat, but
unfortunately the California sagebrush population has been
reduced due to urbanization.
Fun Fact: Artemisia californica was used
medicinally by Cahuilla and Ohlone Indians.
Coyote brush
(Baccharis pilularis)
Family: Asteraceae
Habitat: Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral
Physical Description: Baccharis pilularis is a
perennial bush that grows 45-75 inches in height. White to yellow
flowers bloom from the bush in early winter.
Animal Uses: Wasps, butterflies, and flies use
the nectar from the Baccharis pilularis, while many small animals
use it as shelter.
Fun Fact: An opportunist species, Baccharis
pilularis is one of the most common shrubs in the habitats it
calls home.
Coastal cholla
(Cylindropuntia prolifera)
Family: Cactaceae
Habitat: Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral, Coastal
Cliff
Physical Description: This cactus shrub grows up
to 120 inches tall and grows either purple or red flowers.
Animal Uses: Butterflies and hummingbirds
utilize the pollen in the flowers.
Fun Fact: Cylindropuntia prefers sandy, rocky
soil.
California Brittlebush
(Encelia californica)
Family: Asteraceae (Daisy family)
Habitat: Coastal Sage Scrub
Physical Description: Encelia is a bushy shrub
that grows 20-60 inches tall. In the spring, it blooms with
daisy-like yellow flowers.
Animal Uses: The flowers attract birds, bees,
and butterflies that utilize their nectar.
Fun Fact: Encelia californica is drought
tolerant but not frost tolerant.
Seacliff Buckwheat
(Eriogonum parvifolium)
Family: Polygonaceae
Habitat: Dune, Coastal Bluff
Physical Description: Eriogonum parvifolium is a
perennial evergreen shrub that grows 25 inches tall with red to
pink flowers.
Animal Uses: Many small animals use the leaves
and seeds of the Eriogonum parvifolium as a source of food, while
insects utilize the pollen in the flowers.
Fun Fact: The El Segundo blue butterfly relies
exclusively on Eriogonum parvifolium as a pollen source.
Cliff Spurge
(Euphorbia misera)
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Habitat: Coastal Bluff, Sage Scrub
Physical Description: Euphorbia misera is a
perennial herb that grows up to 40 inches tall with red, yellow,
or white flowers.
Animal Uses: Bees and butterflies use the nectar
from Euphorbia misera flowers.
Fun Fact: The Euphorbia misera is considered
imperiled by the state of California due to habitat loss.
Hummingbird Bush
(Justicia californica)
Family: Acanthaceae
Habitat: Coastal Sage Scrub
Physical Description: Justicia californica is a
semi deciduous shrub that grows 50 to 75 inches tall with bright
red flowers.
Animal Uses: Hummingbirds love the nectar from
Justicia californica
Fun Fact: The Papago used flowers of the
Justicia californica as a food source.
Coast Goldenbush
(Isocoma menziesii)
Family: Asteraceae
Habitat: Coastal Sage Scrub, Coastal
Riparian
Physical Description: Isocoma menziesii reaches
50 inches tall and grows bright yellow flowers.
Animal Uses: Butterflies utilize pollen from the
flowers of the Isocoma menziesii.
Fun Fact: Leaves on the Isocoma menziesii are
sticky, an adaptation to coastal conditions.
Dusty Miller
(Jacobaea maritima)
Family: Asteraceae
Habitat: Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral
Physical Description: Jacobaea maritima is an
evergreen perennial that grows up to 40 inches tall with
white-haired leaves.
Animal Uses: Bees use parts of the leaves for
nest building.
Fun Fact: Jacobaea maritima can tolerate
temperatures as cold as -15 °C.
California Grey Rush
(Juncus patens)
Family: Juncaceae
Habitat: Channel Islands, Riparian
Physical Description: Juncus patens is an
evergreen grass-like plant that grows 18 to 24 inches in height
with brown flowers.
Animal Uses: Birds feed on Juncus patens
seeds.
Fun Fact: Juncus patens is versatile in its
habitat; while it prefers wet soils, it can develop drought
tolerance.
Laurel Sumac
(Malosma laurina)
Family: Anacardiaceae
Habitat: Chaparral, Coastal Sage Scrub, Baja
California
Physical Description: Malosma laurina is a
sclerophyllous shrub that grows up to 20 feet tall.
Animal Uses: California quail eat the berries of
Malosma laurina, while Hyalophora euryalus (Ceanothus Silk Moth)
caterpillars feed on the leaves.
Fun Fact: Chumash Indians used the dried berries
to make flour and the bark on the roots to make medicinal
tea.Common Names: Prickly pear
Prickly Pear
(Opuntia engelmannii)
Family:
Cactaceae
Habitat: Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral, Baja
California
Physical Description: Opuntia is a perennial
shrub that can grow up to 30 feet wide.
Animal Uses: The fruits and pads of the prickly
pear are edible, and many animals and birds take advantage of
this.
Fun Fact: Opuntia engelmannii is native in
southern states from California to Louisiana.
Lemonade Sumac
(Rhus integrifolia)
Family: Anacardiaceae
Habitat: Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral
Physical Description: Rhus integrifolia are
shrubs or small trees that can grow up to 30 feet tall, bearing
bright red berries.
Animal Uses: Native bees use parts of Rhus
integrifolia for nesting materials.
Fun Fact: Berries of Rhus integrifolia are tart
and edible.
Arroyo Willow
(Salix lasiolepis)
Family: Salicaceae
Habitat: Riparian, Chaparral
Physical Description: Salix lasiolepis is a
deciduous shrub or tree, growing up to 20 feet, that produces
yellow catkins (clusters of flowers that droop from the stem) in
the spring.
Animal Uses: Mourning Cloak caterpillars feed on
Salix lasiolepis.
Fun Fact: Salix lasiolepis is an indicator
species in freshwater marshes.
Black Sage
(Salvia mellifera)
Family: Lamiaceae
Habitat: Chaparral, Coastal Sage Scrub
Physical Description: Salvia mellifera is a
semi-deciduous evergreen growing up to 70 inches tall.
Animal Uses: Flowers of salvia mellifera attract
hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
Fun Fact: As a member of the mint family
(Lamiaceae), it is quite a fragrant plant, and the Chumash
Indians used it as a pain reliever.
California Wild Grape
(Vitis californica)
Family: Vitaceae
Habitat: Riparian
Physical Description: Vitis californica is
a deciduous tree that grows up to 40 feet tall.
Animal Uses: Vitis californica seeds are a
source of food for many birds.
Fun Fact: Despite that Vitis californica grows
best in Riparian habitats, it does not require summer watering.