A common species through much of Orange County, from immediate coastal bluffs through the coastal plain and up to moderate elevations of the Santa Ana Mountains (a cismontane species).

Heads 3-9 in panicle-like cluster.
Leaves ± hairy, hairs curled.
Leaves densely silver or gray-tomentose, not at all strigose.

Strictly an inland species of hotter, drier areas, especially the western deserts (a transmontane species).

This species was probably never native to Orange County, but many years ago it became a common component of revegetation and hydroseeding projects at numerous locations throughout the county. Caltrans used this practice extensively and many E. farinosa were used as "native" revegetation, recently on the Foothill Transportation Corridor. The species has since naturalized from these introductions and is now seen all over the county, especially near these plantings.