California Goldenbush

Ericameria ericoides

Native to:
United States

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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