Species PlantsCreosote Bush

Creosote Bush

Larrea tridentata

CommonPlant
Illustration of Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata)

Creosote Bush is the dominant shrub of the Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan deserts and one of the most drought-tolerant plants in North America. The distinctive creosote smell after desert rain is one of the most evocative natural scents in the American West. Clonal rings of creosote have been dated at up to 11,700 years old, making them among the oldest living organisms.

Habitat
Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan Desert flats and slopes
Diet
Seeds eaten by desert rodents; specialist Larrea bees collect pollen exclusively from it
How common
Common

Best time to see a Creosote Bush

The best time to see a Creosote Bush is January–June, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 100,204 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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