09/26/2026
Stinking Roger: the invasive plant smelling up California
Ever wonder about the work it takes to stop the spread of an invasive plant?
First observed right here in Orange County in 2022, Stinking Roger (Osteospermum calendulaceum) is a complicated species to control, as its local ecology is still largely unknown. The Orange County populations remain the only Stinking Roger observed in North America!
With small, yellow upright flowers and highly-branched plants, Stinking Roger forms large stands quickly, preferring drylands habitat. It has a moderate aroma that's been described as herbal, savory, and containing notes of citrus, but is overall sharp and can be unpleasant, hence its name! Concentrated areas of rapid growing Stinking Roger crowd out native plants and harness integral resources; with further observations, more will be discovered about the risks of its invasiveness.
Orange County has faced this risk head-on, as we are in the unique position of facing Stinking Roger in its beginning stages of spread. With cooperative efforts by the City of Laguna Beach, Laguna Canyon Foundation staff, OC Parks, UCANR, Chambers' Group, and the Laguna Beach County Water District, Stinking Roger is being contained before it can become a nationally widespread invasive plant.
How can you do your part to help the native pollinators and other wildlife that rely on native plants to survive? Before adding to your garden, please consider consulting the California Native Plant Society gardening page or reaching out to us at [email protected].
