Creosote bush.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Facile

Type de plante

Shrub

Lumière

Full sun

Lumière en intérieur

Soleil direct

Arrosage

Tous les 14 à 30 jours

Taille adulte

10 feet

Croissance

Lente

Rusticité

USDA 7 à 10

Floraison

Spring to early summer

Entretien

This plant needs excellent drainage and very little water once established. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the soil is staying too wet for too long. It prefers to be left alone in a sunny spot.

Arrosage

Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to mimic its natural desert habitat.

Engrais

Apply a light, balanced fertilizer only during the active growing season if growth seems stunted.

Taille

Prune lightly in late winter to remove dead wood or to shape the plant.

Rempotage

Only repot when the plant has clearly outgrown its container, as it prefers to be somewhat root bound.

Sol

Sandy or rocky, well draining soil

pH du sol

Alkaline

Température

-15 à 50°C

Humidité

10 à 40%

Sécurité

Humains

The plant is toxic if ingested and can cause skin irritation upon contact with the resinous leaves.

Enfants

The resinous leaves are sticky and potentially irritating, so children should be discouraged from handling them.

Allergènes de contact

The sticky resin on the leaves can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Allergènes aéroportés

The pollen can be a significant seasonal allergen for those living in desert regions.

Comestibilité

The plant contains compounds that are not safe for human consumption and may cause liver damage.

Comment l'identifier

• Small, waxy, resinous green leaves
• Bright yellow five petaled flowers
• Fuzzy, spherical seed capsules
• Dark, gnarled woody stems

Hauteur

1 à 3m

Envergure

1,5 à 4m

Feuilles

dark green, olive, evergreen

Fleurs

yellow, 1 à 2cm

Fruits

white, tan, Summer

Problèmes courants

• Root rot — Occurs when the plant is exposed to excessive moisture or poor drainage.

La cultiver

Multiplication

seed, cuttings

Quand planter

fall, early spring

Group this plant with other desert natives that require minimal irrigation to avoid root rot.

Bonnes associations

• Baileya multiradiata — They share similar water needs and thrive in the same harsh, sunny conditions.
• Encelia farinosa — This companion provides a nice color contrast and shares the same desert habitat.

Espèces similaires

• Parkinsonia — Both are iconic desert shrubs that provide structure and habitat in arid landscapes.

Science

Famille

Zygophyllaceae

Genre

Larrea

Ordre

Zygophyllales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico.

Préservation

It is a common and widespread species in its native range and is not currently of conservation concern.

It survives in arid environments by using a combination of deep taproots and shallow lateral roots to capture scarce moisture.

Intérêt pour la faune

nectar source, shelter for desert reptiles

Pollinisateurs

abeilles, papillons, coléoptères

Utilisations

xeriscaping, desert restoration, erosion control

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Does it need much water?

No, it is highly drought tolerant and prefers to be left alone once established.

Can I grow it in a pot?

It is difficult to grow in containers due to its deep taproot and specific soil requirements.

D'où vient le nom

The genus name honors Spanish botanist Juan de Larrea, while the species name refers to its three-lobed fruit.

Bon à savoir

• The distinctive smell of the desert after rain is largely due to the oils released by this plant.
• It is also known as the greasewood bush due to its waxy, resinous leaves.
• The plant has a unique ability to self-prune branches to conserve water during extreme drought.
• It is a cornerstone species that defines the landscape of the Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan deserts.