Isocoma acradenia is a North American species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name alkali goldenbush.
It is native to the Southwestern United States (California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona) and northwestern Mexico (Sonora, Baja California). It grows in arid, sandy areas, particularly mineral-rich areas such as alkali flats and gypsum soils.C.Michael Hogan, ed. 2010. Isocoma acradenia. Encyclopedia of LifeBiota of North America Program 2014 county distribution mapCalflora taxon report, University of California, Isocoma acradenia (E. Greene) E. Greene, Desert isocoma, alkali goldenbush SEINet, Southwestern Biodiversity, Arizona chapterNesom, G.L. 1991. Taxonomy of Isocoma (Compositae: Astereae). Phytologia 70(2): 69–114 includes distribution map on page 72
Description Isocoma acradenia is a bushy subshrub reaching maximum heights of slightly over . It produces erect, branching stems which are a shiny pale yellowish white, aging to a yellow-gray.
Along the tough, hard-surfaced stems are linear or oval-shaped glandular leaves long, sometimes with stumpy teeth along the edges. They are gray-green and age to pale gray or tan.
The inflorescences along the top parts of the stem branches are clusters of four or five flower heads.Jepson Manual Treatment, University of California, (TJM93) of Isocoma acradenia Each head is a capsule encased in bumpy, glandular greenish phyllaries bearing many golden yellow disc florets at its mouth. Each disc floret is somewhat cylindrical and protruding.
The fruit is an achene a few millimeters long, with a yellowish pappus adding another few millimeters.
Varieties Isocoma acradenia var. acradenia - Salt scrub, often with creosote - Arizona, California, Nevada, Sonora Isocoma acradenia var. bracteosa (Greene) G. L. Nesom - salt flats - southern Central Valley in California Isocoma acradenia var. eremophila (Greene) G. L. Nesom - sandy soils, dunes, etc. - Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Baja California, Sonora).
References
External links Calflora Database: Isocoma acradenia (Alkali goldenbush, Desert isocoma) Jepson Manual eFlora (TJM2) treatment of Isocoma acradenia UC CalPhotos gallery − Isocoma acradenia