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Chamaebatiaria millefolium
Chamaebatiaria millefolium (Torr.) Maxim.
Desert Sweet, Fernbush, Tansy Bush
Rosaceae (Rose Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: chmi2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Fernbush is a 4-6 ft. leafy, aromatic shrub producing a profuse amount of small, showy, white, five-petaled flowers. The feathery leaves and fragrant flowers are clustered at the ends of the branches. Aromatic shrub; glandular, hairy. Leaves: 3", finely twice pinnately compound, fern-like. Leaves are downy, fern-like and gray-green. Most of the older leaves drop during winter to reveal smooth, russet bark.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Aggregate , Follicle
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Fruit: Aggregated follicles.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , ID , NV , OR , UTNative Distribution: ID to AZ, w. to Deschutes Co., OR & s.e. CA
Native Habitat: Dry, rocky, mountain slopes
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Part Shade
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Nutrient-poor, dry, gravelly slopes.
Conditions Comments: A useful plant for harsh sites.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesPropagation
Description: Seeds are very fine and should be sown on soil surface. Hormone treated cuttings will also increase the plant. Clumps may be divided while the plant is dormant.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.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Additional resources
USDA: Find Chamaebatiaria millefolium in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Chamaebatiaria millefolium in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Chamaebatiaria millefolium
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-17Research By: TWC Staff