Santa Cruz Island ironwood
Lyonothamnus floribundus
Last reviewed: September 2026
Toxicity unknown
Santa Cruz Island ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus) 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
medium
Size
360"–600" H × 180"–300" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Native to
CA
Pollinators
bees
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
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An elegant single- or multi-trunked tree with shredding reddish bark and fern-like or strap-shaped evergreen leaflets depending on the form. Flat clusters of small white flowers appear in late spring.
Wildlife value
The spring flower clusters attract native bees, and the tree's dense evergreen canopy offers year-round shelter for birds.
Common questions
- How much sun does Santa Cruz Island ironwood need?
- Santa Cruz Island ironwood grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Santa Cruz Island ironwood bloom?
- Santa Cruz Island ironwood blooms in May and June.
- Where is Santa Cruz Island ironwood native?
- Santa Cruz Island ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Santa Cruz Island ironwood attract?
- Santa Cruz Island ironwood draws bees.
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 Santa Cruz Island ironwood? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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