Native Plant Database

Adenostoma fasciculatum Hook. & Arn.

Chamise, Common chamise, Greasewood

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

USDA Symbol: adfa

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

An erect evergreen shrub with alternating clusters of tiny needlelike leaves and large basal burl. 6-10 ft., wide-spreading shrub, with small, linear leaves and reddish bark becoming shreddy with age. Tiny, tubular, white flowers are grouped in showy, terminal clusters.

This is the dominant chaparral plant throughout most of California, often forming pure, impenetrable stands. Also known as Greasewood, the shrub contains highly flammable resins, which cause it to burn rapidly when ignited. Following a fire, Chamise sprouts rapidly from its basal burl (root crown) and soon outgrows most competitors. Chamise further reduces competition by releasing toxins into the soil that inhibit or prevent the growth of most other plants. Chamise becomes dormant during the hottest, driest period of summer, and sheds both branches and bark in an effort to reduce the amount of tissue requiring moisture. These sloughed materials then serve as fuel for the next fire.

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