27+ Creosote Bush

Creosote bush créosotier greasewood hediondilla jarilla larrea divaricata larrea tridentata larreastat.

Creosote bush. Creosote bush larrea tridentata is an extremely tough and drought resistant plant. But practices like fire suppression or overgrazing that limits how much fuel there is for fire allows the creosote bush to take over. This bush is unusually well suited to arid desert periods and is predominant in parts of arizona california nevada utah and other north american desert areas. It is a widely used medicinal plant. Produces a resin with a strong creosote odor which is evident particularly after rainfall. Chaparral is a plant. Creosote larrea tridentata also known as greasewood is the most common shrub in three of the four north american deserts.

The creosote bush is the most characteristic feature of north america s hot deserts. It has an open growth habit with woody stems arising at an angle from the ground or vertically from the base. Because of this creosote bush s natural habitat is in areas where grass has a difficult time growing. Creosote bush larrea tridentata has an unromantic name but possesses wonderful medicinal properties and fascinating adaptive abilities. If you are in the mojave sonoran and chihuahuan deserts of western north america you are never far from a creosote bush. It is the most drought tolerant perennial in north america and it may be the oldest living plant. They are medium sized slow growing shrubs with sprays of compact green leaves tiny yellow flowers and fuzzy seeds.

Leaves are small scalelike pinnate about 3 8 long. In parts of its range it may cover large areas in practically pure stands though it usually occurs in association with ambrosia dumosa burro bush or bur sage. The creosote bush is the signature plant of the southern part of the park and a common characteristic and often dominant shrub of the deserts of southwestern north america. Creosote bush is most common on the well drained soils of alluvial fans and flats. The creosote bush is a plant of extremes. It is one of the best examples of a plant that tolerates arid conditions simply by its toughness. Creosote bush grows slowly and if grassland that it grows in catches fire when it is still small it will die off while the grass grows back.

The most common and widely distributed shrub in the north american deserts.