Bush Sunflower

Bush sunflower is a perennial shrub growing mostly on coastal bluffs and open slopes in coastal sage scrub and chaparral communities below 2000 feet. This shrub grows to a height of about four feet. Flowering can start as early as the first rains in fall, and continue through the moist months of spring. Under the right conditions, some flowering can even extend throughout the whole year. In hot and dry conditions, the plant ceases flowering and may lose leaves. Seeds are set during summer, and attract many native birds.

The plant is named after Christoph Entzelt, and has a scientific name of Encelia californica.

The top and left pictures were taken on More Mesa, and the right at El Capitan.