Coyote brush is one of our most widespread and variable native evergreen shrubs found growing on the coastal plains and foothills from northern to southern California. Throughout this territory, there are many naturally occurring differences in foliage character and growth habit; some plants can grow to 12 ft. tall, while others that are exposed to coastal winds grow into prostrate forms 2-3 ft. high, spreading 6-8 ft. across.

Coyote brush has bright green leaves, to 1/2 in. long, and have undulating to randomly toothed margins. Flowers are insignificant, but seed pappus on female plants can be heavy and distracting in garden plantings. Most of the naturally occurring forms of this plant are usually planted in revegetation projects where they are grown from seed. Several prostrate forms such as B. p. ‘Pigeon Point’ are popular as slope plants in residential and commercial landscapes.