# Coastal Goldenbush (*Isocoma menziesii*) The Coastal Goldenbush is a bright yellow flowering plant that grows in sandy coastal areas. It helps make the beach look beautiful and provides food for butterflies and bees. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 5 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Coastal Goldenbush](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Isocomamenziesii.jpg&width=800) Photo: Anthony Valois and the National Park Service, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Isocomamenziesii.jpg) ## Appearance The Coastal Goldenbush is a bushy, erect perennial subshrub with many bright yellow, daisy-like flower heads clustered at branch ends. Its narrow, green leaves are often sticky and resinous, giving it a distinct texture among coastal flora. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Asterales - **Family:** Asteraceae - **Genus:** Isocoma ## Interesting facts - Each tiny seed has a fluffy parachute to help it fly far on the wind! - Its bright yellow flowers are a late-season 'gas station' for migrating butterflies! - Its common name, 'goldenbush,' describes its many sunny, clustered flower heads perfectly! - This tough plant often grows right on sand dunes, soaking up the coastal sunshine! ## Special abilities - **Salt Shield:** Coastal Goldenbush has sticky, resinous leaves that protect it from harsh salty winds and reduce water loss. - **Thirsty Survivor:** It grows deep roots to find underground water, helping it thrive in dry, sandy soils and survive drought. - **Soil Anchor:** Coastal Goldenbush develops strong roots that grip loose soil, helping to stabilize dunes and prevent coastal erosion. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 30-100 cm - **Spread:** 30-100 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late summer to fall - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen from flowers. - **Pollinates:** [Monarch butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/monarch-butterfly) (*Danaus plexippus*) — Nectar source for migrating Monarch butterflies. - **Eaten by:** [Mule deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — Browses foliage, though not a primary food source. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Salt Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/salt-tolerant): Salt tolerant plants can withstand and grow in conditions with elevated salinity levels in the soil or water. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always stay on paths when exploring coastal areas to protect plants and animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Coastal Goldenbush? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Coastal Goldenbush? 30-100 cm ### How wide does Coastal Goldenbush spread? 30-100 cm ### How big are the flowers on Coastal Goldenbush? 1-2 cm ### When does Coastal Goldenbush bloom? Late summer to fall ### Is Coastal Goldenbush edible? No ### Is Coastal Goldenbush toxic? Mild ### What is Coastal Goldenbush's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bolsa-chica-ecological-reserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Cabrillo National Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cabrillo-national-monument) — California, US · National Park - [Crystal Cove Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/crystal-cove-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District - [Little Italy](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/little-italy) — California, US · Neighborhood - [San Diego Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/san-diego-botanic-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Carlsbad State Beach](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/carlsbad-state-beach) — California, US · State Park [View all places to see Coastal Goldenbush](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/coastal-goldenbush) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Coastal Goldenbush: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coastal-goldenbush)