Larrea tridentata - creosote bush

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This is a widespread desert species in western North America, in family Zygophyllaceae, the same family as guaiac. It got its common name from its smell after the rain, or when the leaves are crushed. It was used as a purgative by Native Americans, and its branches for arrow shafts. The flowers are about 0.75" / 2cm across.

Though it lives in full sun, in extremely hot places where rain may not fall for over a year, it is not a succulent. Of all plants measured, this is the one best able to suck water from nearly-dry soil. It tolerates extreme cold if dry, as well as extreme heat.

Seedlings sprout all over my front garden. I leave a few but hoe out the rest. This one sprouted in dense shade, where I would not have expected it, and grew towards the south, through a wire fence covered with Macfadyena unguis-cati or cat's claw vine, another Southwestern native. It is over my head.

Later each flower will lead to a fuzzy fruit.

Creosote grow outwards by root sprouting from the initial plant. Eventually the central parts die, and a creosote fairy ring is formed. By measuring the rate of creosote fairy ring diameter increase in aerial photographs separated by many years, botanists have calculated some of the rings may date back to 14,000 years ago, just after the last glaciation. This would put Larrea tridenta in competition for the oldest plants on earth.