Flower Color: Yellow, bright yellow; solitary flower heads on the tips of long unbranched stems; flower heads with both ray (3 to 18) and disk (16 to 60) florets; bracts surrounding flower heads are linear to lanceolate; the fruit is cypsela with a silky-hairy pappus.
Flowering Season: March through June and again August to October or November
Elevation: 3,000 to 6,500 feet (1,000-2,000 m)
Habitat Preferences: Rocky mountainous areas, desert mountains on slopes, mesas dry creek beds, canyons, rock walls, saltbush and creosote-bush communities.
Recorded Range: Narrowleaf Goldenbush is found in the southwestern United States in AZ, CA, NV, UT. Largest populations in California; in the southeast corner of Nevada; in Arizona in the central and northwestern parts of the state and in Utah it is limited to the extreme southwestern corner.
North America species range map for Narrowleaf Goldenbush, Ericameria linearifolia:
North American range map courtesy of Virginia Tech, Dept. of Forest Resources & Environmental Conservation
Click image for full size map
Genus Information: In North America there are 33 species and 33 accepted taxa overall for Ericameria. Worldwide, The Plant List includes 39 accepted species names and a further 244 of infraspecific rank for the genus.
As a whole, the members of the genus Ericameria are generally referred to as Goldenbush, Turpentine Bush, Rabbitbrush and Rabbitbush. They were all formerly described as Aplopappus, Haplopappus or Chrysothamnus.
The genus Ericameria was published in 1840 by Thomas Nuttall.
In the Southwestern United States: Arizona has 9 species of Ericameria, California has 22 species, Nevada has 15 species, New Mexico has 4 species, Texas has 2 species, Utah has 13 species. Hybrids exist. All data is approximate and subject to taxonomic changes.
Comments: One of the more common plants found in Arizona above 3,000 feet (1,000 m) that blooms showy bright yellow flowers in late summer and early fall. It is one of the showiest species to bloom in the fall and one of the showiest species in Ericameria. It grows well in arid environments and dry alkaline soil and is often used in desert landscaping in full sun to achieve a more natural look. The leaves are aromatic.
The genus Ericameria species are used as food plants by the larvae of some butterfly species including those from the genus Schinia. Also, plants are browsed by rabbits. Seeds of Ericamerica linearifolia are eaten by birds and small mammals.
Special Value to Native bees, Butterflies and Insects
Ericamerica linearifolia flowers and plants may be visited by native bees, butterflies and/or insects in search of food, nectar or cover.
Etymology:
The genus Ericameria (Ericamer'ia:) is from the Greek Erica (Ereika), “heath,” and meris or meros for “division or part,” referring to the heath-like leaves.
The genus Ericameria was published in 1840 by Thomas Nuttall.
The species epithet linearifolia (linearifo'lia:) means plants with narrow linear parallel-sided leaves.
Ethnobotany
Narrowleaf Goldenbush has been used as a drug, dermatological and veterinary aid by southwestern United States indigenous peoples.
Kawaiisu Drug, Antirheumatic (External) and Dermatological Aid; Decoction of leaves and flowers applied to limbs for rheumatism and Decoction of leaves and flowers applied to soreness, bruises and cuts and Decoction of roots used as a hair wash to make the hair grow.
Kawaiisu Drug, Orthopedic and Veterinary Aid; Decoction of roots used as a wash for tired feet and Decoction of leaves and flowers applied to sore backs of horses.
Tubatulabal Drug, Antirheumatic (External); Compound decoction of leaves and flowers used as a wash for rheumatism.
See complete listing of ethno-botanical uses at Native American Ethnobotany, University of Michigan, Dearborn.
