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Native Plant Database

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Ericameria nauseosa ssp. nauseosa (Chamisa)
Bruso, George H.

Ericameria nauseosa ssp. nauseosa (Pallas ex Pursh) Nesom & Baird

Chamisa, Rabbitbrush, Rubber rabbitbrush

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonyms: Chrysothamnus nauseosus

USDA Symbol: ernan3

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Rabbitbrush is a 2-5 ft., deciduous shrub with aromatic, blue-green, feathery foliage and dense clusters of bright-yellow, fuzzy flowers. When grown in well-drained soil it takes on a soft, mounded form. Wiry, white stems and dry seed heads create winter interest.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , CO , ID , KS , MT , ND , NE , NM , NV , OK , OR , SD , TX , UT , WA , WY
Canada: AB , BC , SK
Native Distribution: Sask. to s. B.C., s. to uplands of w. TX & Baja CA; rarely w. of the Cascades
Native Habitat: Dry grasslands, badlands, salt flats & foothills
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Description: Clay-alkaline soils.
Conditions Comments: Cutting back in the winter will create a thick, bushy plant. Though rabbit brush is good for stabilizing open, waste places, it is considered a poisonous weed on rangelands. Cool summers are a necessity. Unlike most native species, rabbit brush flowers first at high elevations and last on lower slopes.

Propagation

Description: Propagate by seed or hardwood cuttings in late winter. Seeds viability is often low. Direct seeding is not recommended and since seedlings are easily transplanted, it is best to sow seeds on greenhouse flats. The species regenerates naturally from root
Seed Collection: The seed is an achene which can be stripped off the shrub or shaken onto tarps.
Seed Treatment: Seeds may benefit from a period of moist chilling.
Commercially Avail: yes

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 Ericameria nauseosa ssp. nauseosa in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Ericameria nauseosa ssp. nauseosa in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ericameria nauseosa ssp. nauseosa

Metadata

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

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