Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Chrysothamnus nauseosus, Chrysothamnus collinus, Chrysothamnus frigidus var. concolor, Chrysothamnus nauseosus ssp. nauseosus and more see SEINET.
Other common names
chamisa
goldenbush
Plant type
Shrubs
Riparian
No
Plant Description
Origin
Native
Similar species
Chrysothamnus parryi
Several erect stems arise from the base with slender flexible branches to create a rounded form. Stunning bloom of dense masses of golden clusters of flower heads consisting of 4 to 6 disc flowers. Strongly scented.
Highly variable shrub. Leaves alternate, thread-like to narrow, smooth or hairy. Twigs covered with gray-green or white felt-like hairs. Flower heads in terminal flat-topped clusters; no ray flowers, yellow disc flowers typically 5, can be 4 or 6.
Height
6 feet
Width
6 feet
Habitat
Habitat description
Found in open places in valleys, plains, and foothills.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Low elevation
2000
High elevation
8000
Leaves
Leaf color
Gray-green or blue-green
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaf hairs
Top and bottom of leaves
Spines
No
Leaf Drop
Deciduous
Very narrow, 1/16 inch to 2-1/2 inches long with soft matted hairs along stem, 1 to 3 nerved, surfaces smooth or hairy, often gland-dotted.
Flowers
Flower color
Yellow
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
July
Last bloom month
October
Flower heads yellow, numerous in terminal flat-topped rounded clusters. Each flower head is wrapped with a papery ring of bracts; each bract to 1/4 inch wide by 1/2 inch long.
Flower clusters
Rounded
Fruit
Fruit color
Light brown
Fruit type
Achene
Hairy, 1-seeded cylindrical achenes are terminated by persistent whitish tufts of papery, feather-like hairs.