Creosote Bush
Larrea tridentata
The most drought-enduring shrub in North America and the defining plant of the warm deserts, scenting the air with 'rain' after a storm. Resinous evergreen leaves, yellow flowers, and clones that live thousands of years. Pickled flower buds and a resinous leaf tea are traditional uses, though concentrated chaparral tea or supplements have been linked to liver toxicity in case reports — culinary use is a light touch, not a health tonic.
- Family
- Zygophyllaceae
- Type
- shrub
- Lifespan
- perennial
- Height
- 4–10 ft
- Spacing
- 4–10 ft apart
- Light
- part shade
- Soil moisture
- moist
- Soil pH
- neutral
- Bloom
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September
- Bloom colors
- yellow
- Wildlife value
- mammals
- Landscape uses
- specimen, hedge or screen
- Native states
- AZ, CA, NM, NV, TX, UT