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Reveal, James L.

Sarcobatus vermiculatus

Sarcobatus vermiculatus (Hook.) Torr.

Greasewood

Chenopodiaceae (Goosefoot Family)

Synonym(s): Sarcobatus vermiculatus var. baileyi

USDA Symbol: SAVE4

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

A deciduous, much-branched shrub, usually 3-8 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.

From the Image Gallery

14 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 15 feet tall, often shorter.
Leaf: Yellow-Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Green
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug

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

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Saline clay to medium-textured, alkaline soils.

Propagation

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.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:			FAC			FAC				FACU

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 37 - Calscape (2019) California Native Plant Society
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 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: 2022-10-21
Research By: TWC Staff

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