California adolphia
Adolphia californica
Last reviewed: October 2026
California adolphia (Adolphia californica) is a perennial shrub native to CA. It blooms in December, January, February, and March. The flowers draw small bees and flies.
Toxicity unknown
California adolphia (Adolphia californica) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
24"–48" H × 24"–48" W
Bloom
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Native to
CA
Pollinators
small bees, flies
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A dense, spiny deciduous shrub of dry scrub with an intricate tangle of gray-green stems that carry the plant's structure even when leafless. Tiny white flowers appear along the stems in the cool season.
Growing California adolphia
Grow California adolphia in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 24 to 48 inches tall and spread 24 to 48 inches wide.
Wildlife value
The thorny, tangled branching creates secure nesting cover for small birds, and winter flowers feed early foraging bees.
Common questions
- How much sun does California adolphia need?
- California adolphia grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does California adolphia bloom?
- California adolphia blooms in December, January, February, and March.
- Where is California adolphia native?
- California adolphia (Adolphia californica) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does California adolphia attract?
- California adolphia draws small bees and flies.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow California adolphia? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.