Lizard Tail
Eriophyllum staechadifolium
Also listed as Bahia artemisiifolia, Bahia staechadifolia
Also known as Seaside Woolly Sunflower
Climate Match for your location
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A California native shrub with finely textured, aromatic gray-green foliage and bright yellow button-like flowers that bloom through late summer and fall. It thrives in dry, sunny locations with minimal water once established.
Why grow it
Lizard Tail is notably drought-tolerant compared to many ornamental shrubs once established, making it a practical choice for water-limited gardens in Mediterranean climates. Its fine-textured gray-green foliage provides visual contrast to broader-leaved companion plants, while the small yellow flowers attract pollinators over an extended season. In dry, sandy, or rocky soils where many ornamentals struggle, this California native performs reliably with minimal fertilizer or supplemental irrigation.
Watch out for
Young plants benefit from consistent moisture during establishment, typically requiring regular watering through the first growing season despite the species' eventual drought tolerance. The plant can become leggy or sparse in partial shade or overly rich soil, so siting and soil preparation matter as much as mature hardiness. Pruning should be light and done in early spring, as heavy cutting may result in slow recovery or dieback.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
California (coast ranges and foothills)
Native to: California, Oregon
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A California native shrub with finely textured, aromatic gray-green foliage and bright yellow button-like flowers that bloom through late summer and fall. It thrives in dry, sunny locations with minimal water once established.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Lizard Tail grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Lizard Tail is notably drought-tolerant compared to many ornamental shrubs once established, making it a practical choice for water-limited gardens in Mediterranean climates. Its fine-textured gray-green foliage provides visual contrast to broader-leaved companion plants, while the small yellow flowers attract pollinators over an extended season. In dry, sandy, or rocky soils where many ornamentals struggle, this California native performs reliably with minimal fertilizer or supplemental irrigation.
Watch out for
Young plants benefit from consistent moisture during establishment, typically requiring regular watering through the first growing season despite the species' eventual drought tolerance. The plant can become leggy or sparse in partial shade or overly rich soil, so siting and soil preparation matter as much as mature hardiness. Pruning should be light and done in early spring, as heavy cutting may result in slow recovery or dieback.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
California (coast ranges and foothills)
Native to: California, Oregon
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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