Scientific Family
Zygophyllaceae
Other common names
creosotebush
creosote
Plant type
Shrubs
Riparian
No
Plant Description
Origin
Native
Similar species
Larrea divaricata subsp. tridentata , Larrea mexicana
Rounded, multi-stemmed evergreen shrub. Gives off a musty odor after rain. When pollinated, petals twist 90 degrees. Waxy coating on leaves conserves water by slowing evaporation. Leaves may fold in half during extreme drought to conserve moisture.
Aromatic diffusely branched evergreen resinous shrub. Opposite leaves with short stalks and 2 spreading leaflets fused at their bases. Yellow flowers are solitary in leaf axils. Fruits are round and hairy, consisting of 5 1-seeded sections.
Height
To 13 feet
Width
To 10 feet
Habitat
Habitat description
Dry plains, mesas, slopes, hillsides. Widespread at lower elevations.
Plant Community
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
0
High elevation
5000
Leaves
Leaf color
Dark green
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Leaf Drop
Evergreen
Leaves are evergreen; each leaf consists of a pair of leaflets united at the base. Leaflets are elliptical, dark green, shiny, and strongly-scented (especially after rain).
Flowers
Flower color
Yellow
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
February
Last bloom month
April
Bright yellow flowers are 1/4 to 1/2 inch long with 5 yellow petals, 5 yellow sepals, 10 stamens, and 1 pistil. The main blooming period is in the spring but blossoms may occur later dependent on additional moisture.
Flower clusters
None
Fruit
Fruit color
White
Fruit type
Nut or nut-like
Fruits are round, consisting of 5 1-seeded nutlets which may or may not break apart after maturing. Each fruit is densely covered by long white, silky hairs.