Family: Asteraceae

An evergreen perennial sunflower shrub (though they may go semi-dormant in hot summers), 3-4 ft high and wide. This is a good large-scale ground cover with 2 inch daisy flower (late winter into early spring).

Full to part sun. Low water when established. This plant will recover from 25° F, but will die to ground, at about 20 degrees F. Cut back as needed.

Has beautiful cut flowers. Great nectar plant. Encelia species are important especially for native bees and butterflies that are active in late winter, early spring.

The genus name, Encelia, honors Christoph Entzelt, a 16th century German clergyman and naturalist who wrote about the medicinal uses of plants and animals and Latinized his name to Encelius. The specific epithet is a reference to its native range in California. There are 22 species of Encelia found in arid environments in southwestern North America and western South America.

From coastal thornscrub in California and Baja California, sea level to 2000 ft.

Photo by slschwartz, iNaturalist