Narrowleaf Goldenbush
Ericameria linearifolia
ABOUT
Narrowleaf Goldenbush or Linear Leaved Goldenbush is in the daisy family and grows in the drier regions of Central & Southern California - I’ve frequently encountered them at Vasquez Rocks as well as the Canyon Country. It thrives in full sun in quick-draining soil, reaching around 2ft in height and 5ft in width at maturity. It’s a spring bloomer, and an absolute butterfly nectar magnet plant, as you can see below:
BUTTERFLIES
Seed
Before its summer dormancy, when this plant goes to seed, it forms a seedhead almost identical to a dandelion (but smaller). They’re relatively straightforward to collect.
Cultivation
I tried sewing seeds to this relatively soon after collecting them in June of 2024. Germination didn’t take long. It’s initial growth seems to be lateral, sending out one or two horizontal stalks along the ground before turning 90 degrees and shooting up little stalks of leaves that are shiny and thin. The vegetation on these, at least while young, is very fragile and soft, more-so than other California natives. I have several around the size in the photo, and plan to put them in the ground soon.