Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Share

Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

Enter a Plant Name:
Or you can choose a plant family:
Holodiscus dumosus (Rockspirea)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Holodiscus dumosus

Holodiscus dumosus (Nutt. ex Hook.) A. Heller

Rockspirea, Glandular Oceanspray, Bush Rockspirea, Cream Bush

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

Synonym(s): Holodiscus discolor var. dumosus, Holodiscus dumosus var. typicus

USDA Symbol: HODU

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Glandular oceanspray or bush rockspirea is a low, intricately branched, spreading shrub, usually 1-7 ft. tall, with reddish twigs; aromatic, deciduous foliage; and feathery panicles of small, pinkish-white flowers.

Grows in lava, pumice, and volcanic ash soils.

 

From the Image Gallery

2 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Achene , Aggregate
Size Notes: Up to about 10 feet tall, often shorter.
Leaf: Dark Green
Fruit: Aggregated achenes.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Bloom Notes: White, sometimes pinkish.

Distribution

USA: AZ , CO , ID , NM , NV , TX , UT , WY
Native Distribution: W. TX & adjacent Mex. to AZ & s.e. CA, n. to n.w. WY, c. ID & n.c. OR
Native Habitat: Dry, rocky cliffs & hillsides

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Dry, rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Grows in lava, pumice & volcanic ash soils.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: A good wildlife browse plant.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Semi-hardwood cuttings, suckers and seeds may be used.
Seed Collection: Seeds are produced in tiny, dry capsules.
Seed Treatment: The tiny seeds require cold stratification at 41 degrees for up to 18 weeks.
Commercially Avail: yes

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-18
Research By: TWC Staff

Go back