California Brittlebush

Shrubs, 50–150 cm. Stems with slender branches from bases, glabrous, developing smooth or roughened barks. Leaves cauline; petioles 5–25 mm; blades green, rhombic or narrowly ovate, 30–60 mm, apices acute, faces glabrous. Heads borne singly. Peduncles pubescent. Involucres 10–12 mm. Phyllaries lanceolate. Ray florets 15–25; corolla laminae 15–35 mm. Disc corollas brown-purple, 5–6 mm. Cypselae 5–7 mm; pappi 0. 2n = 36.