Coastal sage scrub, also known as coastal scrub, CSS, or soft chaparral, is a low scrubland plant community of the California coastal sage and chaparral subecoregion, found in coastal California and northwestern coastal Baja California. It is within the California chaparral and woodlands ecoregion, of the Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub biome. Characteristics Plant community Coastal sage scrub is characterized by low-growing aromatic, and drought-deciduous shrubs adapted to the semi-arid Mediterranean climate of the coastal lowlands. The community is sometimes called "soft chaparral" due to the predominance of soft, drought-deciduous leaves in contrast to the hard, waxy-cuticled leaves on sclerophyllous plants of California's chaparral communities. Flora Characteristic shrubs and subshrubs include: California sagebrush (Artemisia californica) Black sage (Salvia mellifera) White sage (Salvia apiana) California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) Coast brittle-bush (Encelia californica) Golden yarrow (Eriophyllum confertifolium) Larger shrubs include: Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) Lemonade berry (Rhus integrifolia) Herbaceous plants, grasses, and in some locales, cacti and succulents, are also part of the flora. Hesperoyucca whipplei, colloquially known as Chaparral Yucca, is commonplace throughout the climate zone. Geographical subtypes The coastal sage scrub plant community is divided into three geographical subtypes — northern coastal scrub, southern coastal scrub, and maritime succulent scrub. The coastal scrub communities are divided into three regions: Northern Coastal Scrub and Coastal Prairie, which lies in San Luis Obispo to Oregon. Coastal Sage scrub, which lies in Ensenada, Baja California to Monterey. Maritime Succulent Scrub, which can be found in the San Diego County to Baja California. The Northern Coastal Scrub consists of prairie, which is terraces with deep alluvial soils, and scrub, which is found on steeper slopes and ravine areas. Evergreen shrubs and subshrubs, which are soft leaves. They are found in semi-open with a height of 2–3 meters, with multiple layers. Some examples of the plant species that can be found are Bush monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus), Poison oak (Taxicodendron diversilobum), Coffee berry (Frangula californica), Golden yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum). California sagebrush (Artemisia californica) can be found in Coastal Sage Scrub community, especially in Orange County. Some other plant species that can be found is also Giant coreopsis (Coreopsis gigantea), Black sage (Salvia mellifera), California buckwheat (Eriogonoum fasciculatum), and White sage (Salvia apiana). Plant species that can be found in Maritime Succulent Scrub is Coast prickly pear (Opuntia littoralis), Coast barrel cactus (Ferocactus viridescens), Cliff spurge (Euphorbia misera), Bush rue (Cneoridium dumosum), and Dudleya spp. Northern coastal scrub