[2] This plant is of great benefit across its various habitats, providing an important food resource for a diversity of insect and mammal species.

It also provides numerous ecosystem services for humans, including erosion control, post-fire mitigation, increases in crop yields when planted in hedgerows, and high habitat restoration value.

[4] After the fruits are set, the dry calyx provides buoyancy to the detached achenes, assisting in their dispersal by wind and water.

[5] There are a number of distinct varieties, they include: This common shrub is native to the Southwestern United States, California, and northwestern Mexico.

[13] The Tongva, who call the plant wilakal, gather the leaves before flowering to make into a strong thick tea and grind the dried roots to use for headaches and stomach problems.

[14] This widespread species is used extensively as a traditional medicinal plant by Native Americans for a variety of ailments, including the treatment of headache, diarrhea, and wounds.