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Hixson, John
Purshia tridentata
Purshia tridentata (Pursh) DC.
Antelope Bitterbrush, Bitterbrush, Antelope Brush
Rosaceae (Rose Family)
Synonym(s): Purshia tridentata var. tridentata
USDA Symbol: putr2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Bitterbrush or antelope brush is a gray, small-leaved shrub that usually grows 4-5 ft. but can reach 12 ft. The intricately branched prostate stems often root where they touch the ground. Cream-colored, tubular, short-lived flowers are solitary at the ends of short branches. The semi-evergreen leaves are deeply three-cleft and roll inward in scorching weather, exposing the grayish, densely hairy underside.
Bitterbrush is a member of the rose family (family Rosaceae) which includes about 2000 species of trees, shrubs, and herbs worldwide; approximately 77 native and 9 naturalized tree species and many species of shrubs and herbs in North America; including service-berries (Amelanchier), hawthorns (Crataegus), apples (Malus), plums and cherries (Prunus), and mountain-ashes (Sorbus).
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 12 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , YellowBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Bloom Notes: Yellow to pale yellow, sometimes nearly white.
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , NM , NV , OR , UT , WA , WYCanada: BC
Native Distribution: MT to B.C., s. to NM, n. AZ & CA
Native Habitat: Dry, sagebrush & pinon-juniper slopes; 3000-11,000 ft.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Dry soils.
Conditions Comments: This shrub is good for erosion control, informal plantings, and revegetation on disturbed sites. Does not sprout after fire.
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Grows best from seeds but layering is also successful. Stratified seed should be sown while wet.Seed Collection: Seeds are ripe in mid-summer. Timing of seed collection is important to avoid seed loss. Flail branches over a container or use a vacuum collector. The papery husks must be removed before sowing. (Rodents remove the husks in nature.)
Seed Treatment: Seeds need winter stratification. Stored seed can be stratified at 39 degrees for a little as two weeks.
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.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Replacing grass with xeric plants in Nevada
March 20, 2009
I am looking to xeriscape my front yard - remove all grass! I am thinking 3-4 larger plants: bird of paradise (mesquite??), aloe, and ..?? Also, possibly a Chilean mesquite.
Do you have suggestio...
view the full question and answer
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
Bibliography
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 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 Purshia tridentata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Purshia tridentata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Purshia tridentata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-20Research By: TWC Staff