Creosote Bush
ExplorePlants
Creosote Bush
Larrea tridentata
The Creosote Bush is a hardy plant that can survive in very dry places. It has small, shiny leaves and can grow tall, making it special in the desert landscape.
Habitat: Desert
Appearance
The Creosote Bush is a woody shrub with many slender stems and small, waxy, green leaves. It produces tiny, five-petaled yellow flowers and fuzzy, white, spherical seed capsules that make it stand out against the desert landscape.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderZygophyllalesFamilyZygophyllaceaeGenusLarrea
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its leaves release a unique, tar-like smell, especially strong and pungent after desert rain.
One creosote bush colony in California is over 11,000 years old, making it one of Earth's most ancient living things!
The sticky seeds are often carried away by desert ants, who store them in their underground nests.
This tough plant grows so well, it’s often the only large shrub for miles in harsh desert environments.
Special abilities
Ability
Secret Space Maker
The Creosote Bush can release special chemicals into the soil that prevent other plants from growing too close to it.
Ability
Deep Water Diver
Its roots can grow incredibly deep into the ground, helping the bush find precious water far beneath the desert surface.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 100-300 cm
- Spread
- 100-300 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Year-round
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
collects nectar and pollen
eaten by
Black-tailed Jackrabbit
Lepus californicus
browses on its leaves
shelters
Desert Iguana
Dipsosaurus dorsalis
rests in its shade
depends on
Merriam's Kangaroo Rat
Dipodomys merriami
collects its seeds for food
Traits
Aromatic
Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Desert
Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Don't touch the plant too much, as its leaves can be sticky.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Creosote Bush?
100-300 cm
How wide does Creosote Bush spread?
100-300 cm
How big are the flowers on Creosote Bush?
1-2 cm
When does Creosote Bush bloom?
Year-round
Is Creosote Bush edible?
No
Is Creosote Bush toxic?
Mild
What is Creosote Bush's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Creosote Bush pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
Park57 sightings6 species
Arizona, US
Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park
You might spot Desert Cottontail, Yellow-Rumped Warbler, and Black Phoebe.
View guide →
Park14 sightings3 species
New Mexico, US
Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument
You might spot Creosote Bush, Devilshead, and Lace-Spine Nipple Cactus.
View guide →
