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Native Plant Database

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Sarcobatus vermiculatus (Hook.) Torr.

Greasewood

Chenopodiaceae (Goosefoot Family)

USDA Symbol: SAVE4

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A deciduous, much-branched shrub, 2-8 ft. tall, with spiny, rigid stems. Older branches are gray; the younger are yellowish-white. Leaves are narrow and fleshy. Catkin-like staminate flowers and axillary pistillate flowers are inconspicuous. A winged fruit follows. Perennial shrub, numerous yellowish-white to grayish, rigid branches that are very spiny.

Greasewood often occurs in pure stands on alkaline flats around playas. Its leaves accumulate sodium salts, giving them a salty taste. The Hopi Indians used it for fuel. A seond species, S. baileyi, from Nevada, is recognized by some authors.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf: Yellow-Green
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 6-12 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Green
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , ND , NE , NM , NV , OR , SD , UT , WA , WY
Canada: AB , SK
Native Distribution: E. WA to s.e. CA, e. to Sask., w. Dakotas, n.w. NE & w. TX
Native Habitat: Salt desert shrub communities of valley bottoms & benches
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Saline clay to medium-textured, alkaline soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Propagation

Description: Not Available
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

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Additional resources

USDA: Find Sarcobatus vermiculatus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Sarcobatus vermiculatus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Sarcobatus vermiculatus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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