It is present in several sites in Encinitas, and it is known from other parts of the county from the coastline to the mountains on various substrates.

[2] Baccharis vanessae is a sticky, glandular shrub producing dense, branching, erect stems approaching 2 meters in maximum height.

This dioecious shrub produces female and male flower heads on different individuals.

[3] Often found are elongated lepidopteran galls which Oscar Clarke of Riverside suggests indicates a very old relationship of evolution.

Fire suppression in the fire-prone chaparral habitat threaten those plants occurring near residential areas.