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Larrea tridentata (Creosote bush)
Flaigg, Norman G.

Larrea tridentata (Sessé & Moc. ex DC.) Coville

Creosote bush, Greasewood, Hediondilla, Governadora, Guamis

Zygophyllaceae (Creosote-Bush Family)

Synonyms: Larrea tridentata var. tridentata, Larrea divaricata

USDA Symbol: latr2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Creosote-bush is a 3-5 ft., evergreen shrub which can reach 10 ft. and has numerous flexible stems usually arising from the base at an angle. Its slender, irregularly branching stems bear tiny, rich-green, aromatic leaflets. The small, compound leaves, 1/5–2/5 inch long, are composed of 2 leaflets. They are opposite, united at the base, pointed at the tip, dark to yellowish-green, strong-scented, and often sticky with resin. These provide a background for small but prolific, yellow, velvety flowers, followed by fluffy, white fruit. The flowers are inconspicuous except under favorable conditions, when they are prominent, giving the bush a yellowish cast. They are 1/4–1/2 inch long, with 5 petals, 10 stamens, and 1 pistil. Stems are gray with dark nodes, giving a jointed appearance.

Creosote Bush is the most characteristic species of the hot deserts of North America. Its pungence fills the air following rains. Decoctions from its leaves are used as antiseptics and emetics. Many “bunches” of plants are actually clones. The foliage hides species of grasshoppers, praying mantids, and crickets that occur only on this plant. Leafy galls caused by a fly, the Creosote Gall Midge (Asphondylia spp.) are often numerous.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Size Notes: Typically 3 to 6.
Flower: Flowers 1/2 inch
Fruit: White
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , NM , NV , TX , UT
Native Distribution: W. TX to s.w. UT, AZ, s. CA & adjacent Mex.
Native Habitat: Flat desert areas
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Loose, well-drained sand or loam. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Caliche type
Conditions Comments: Drought-tolerant creosote bush is the dominant shrub in desert areas, covering thousands of square miles. It may not be a distinct species of L. divaricata. The shrub can be sheared like boxwood, pick-pruned to a small, graceful shrub, or pruned to make a small tree. Tip pruning increases density. Nothing will grow under creosote bush because of toxins it gives off. Leaves are sticky with a creosote resin. Produces a refreshing scent after rains. The main bloom period is in the spring, but blossoms will occur later depending on available moisture.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Showy, Aromatic, Long-living, Blooms ornamental, Fruits ornamental, Desert landscape
Use Wildlife: Provides cover for desert wildlife. Nectar-insects, Cover, Nesting site, Browse, Fruit-birds
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Deer Resistant: High

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees
Special Value to Bumble Bees
Special Value to Honey Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Seeds germinate slowly. Hulling dramatically improves germination. Sow seeds in a warm, well-drained dark place. This species is difficult to root from cuttings.
Seed Collection: Collect ripe fruits in late spring through summer by stripping the plants. Air dry and fumigate the fruits before storage.
Seed Treatment: Scarification of the hard seed coat induces germination. Soak in distilled water overnight.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed 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:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender

Search More Titles in Bibliography

From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1995 VOL. 12, NO.3 - Explore the Big Bend With the Wildflower Center, Education Director\'s Report, T...

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.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2011-04-06
Research By: TWC Staff

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