SafePlants

Brickellia incana: Woolly Brickellbush

Brickellia incana, commonly known as woolly brickellbush or white brickellbush, is a North American species of flowering plant belonging to the daisy family (Asteraceae).

Considerations for Pets

• Brickellbushes reportedly possess chemical defenses.
• The plant is described as having woolly stems and leaves.

Considerations for Children

• The plant is described as having woolly stems and leaves.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Brickellia incana A. Gray
• Family: Asteraceae (Daisy Family)
• Rank: Species
• Synonyms/Common Names: Woolly brickellbush, white brickellbush, woolly brickellia, Spear Leaved brickellia, Spearleaf brickellbush, California brickellbush

Distribution and Habitat

• Brickellia incana is native to North America, specifically the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts.
• It can be found in sandy washes and flats.

Morphology and Growth Habits

• Brickellia incana is a full-sized, perennial subshrub or shrub.
• It has woolly stems and heart-shaped, sessile leaves that are also woolly.

Ecological Role

• Despite their chemical defenses, brickellbushes serve as a food source for the caterpillars of certain Hymenochlaena species.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• It serves as a food source for caterpillars of the genus Hymenochlaena.

Further Information

• Discover Life provides information on the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Brickellia incana.
• More information can be found in the Flora of North America General.