Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Gumweed (Grindelia stricta var. platyphylla) is a native perennial herb that grows in Southern and Central California, primarily in the Central Coast region. It is a member of the Asteraceae and has typical sunflower floral structure with yellow disk flowers and ray flowers. It tends to grow in tidal flats, coastal strand, and coastal sage scrub typically very near the ocean, at elevations from 0-700 feet. There are three recognized varieties of Grindelia stricta; var. platyphylla is broadly distributed along the coast from Del Norte County to Los Angeles County and the northern Channel Islands. The flower bud is distinctive in having large amount of sticky white sap which native people use as an adhesive. The plant has a prostrate, sprawling habit and roots as it spreads. It performs best in coastal gardens with sandy soil.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

1 - 2 ft Tall
7 ft Wide

Form

Spreading

Growth rate

Moderate

Dormancy

Evergreen

Fragrance

None

Calscape icon
Color

Yellow

Flowering season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Special uses

Deer resistant, Groundcover, Lawn alternative

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water

Low, Moderate

Summer irrigation

Max 3x / month once established

Ease of care

Easy

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to 30° F

Soil drainage

Fast

Soil description

Mostly sandy. Tolerates saline soil..
Soil PH: 5.0 - 7.5

Maintenance

Deadhead to encourage flowering

Propagation

Rooted cuttings

Sunset Zones

5, 7, 8, 9, 14*, 15, 16, 17*, 19, 20, 21, 22*, 23*, 24

Site type

Tidal flats, marshes, dunes, seabluffs and coastal strand where it receives extra moisture from fog and sea spray. Also occurs in coastal sage scrub in more upslope areas

Plant communities

Coastal Sage Scrub, Coastal Salt Marsh, Coastal Strand, Wetland-Riparian

Bats
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 10 likely

Confirmed Likely

Orange Tortrix Moth

Argyrotaenia franciscana

Cremastobombycia grindeliella

Dejongia californicus

Epinotia infuscana