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.

[WhiteRabbit]

Lovely! Very cool plant!

[AndreaK]

Very nice. I love the info. Native plants fascinate me. It is funny how once you learn about them, its exciting to see the first sign of leaves in the spring. We have bored many a friend talking about the plants on our old property who did not see what was "to come" from all those different leaves (plant list totaled over 300 species). The native plant societies that came were just as excited to see the diversity though. Keep posting the plant information for us. Thanks.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Very interesting. Its one tough plant, you say.

[DeaC]

I,for one,get all caught up with the orchid talk so from time to time it's refreshing to hear about the rest of natures bounty esp. in places that sound to be inhospitable at certain times of the year. But what comes forth is remarkable.TY

[Tindomul]

Great info! I saw this for the first time in Arizona last January, but not in flower.