This shrub is very common locally, here in northern Baja California along the Pacific coast. It prefers rocky, exposed locations and often serves as a nurse plant, providing shade and protection to young seedling Dudleyas and other plants. On steep slopes and where there is soil erosion the roots may be exposed for a few feet. Natural bonsais can be quite beautiful and large older plants can be spectacular when in leaf and bloom.

Exceptionally drought tolerant, usually a winter-spring grower here in habitat (winter rainfall area), and reverts to a bare leafless state when dormant. Depending on conditions it can look very different. Rather opportunistic in cultivation. The stem is often a shiny silvery color, very highly branched, and generally wider than tall.

Lots of sun gives the best form (wide, low, full).

Plants sold in the trade as E. misera are often misidentified and actually the closely related E. californica, which can be distinguished by its longer petioles (the long thin part at the base of the leaf). From what I've seen, E. misera is a better looking plant.

Avoid touching the sap and especially getting it in your eyes as it can be an extreme irritant (thus the name misera).

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