Encinitas Baccharis

(Baccharis vanessae)

This rare species of the baccharis genus is native to the chaparral scrub of San Diego County. Despite its common name, it can no longer be found wild in Encinitas, due to residential and urban development. Endemic to the area, it produces dense growths of branching stems growing to no more than 6.5 feet in height. The linear leaves are sticky and can grow up to 2 inches long. This scrub produces staminate and pistillate heads on different individual plants.