California Goldenbush
Ericameria ericoides
- Native to:
- United States
iNaturalist: © farinosa (iNaturalist #62725914)






Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Ericameria
- Species:
- Ericameria ericoides
- USDA Symbol:
- ERER11
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- aug,sep,oct,nov
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Aristotelia argentifera, Gnorimoschema ericameriae
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Gnorimoschema ericameriae
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown following fire; common in coastal sage scrub communities with periodic fire regimes.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to coastal dunes and sandy areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment; surface sow as seeds require light.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: None required
Establishment: Seeds are collected between June 20th and November 15th. Mature inflorescences are brown. Seed is light gray at maturity. E. ericoides is found in sand dunes near the coast from Point Reyes to Los Angeles County, California.
Source: npn.rngr.net