Larrea tridentata
(Creosote Bush)
Larrea tridentata, Lajitas Airport Trails, Brewster Co. 4318
Larrea tridentata, Lajitas Airport Trails, Brewster Co. 4327
Larrea tridentata, Hwy 118, Big Bend National Park 3690
Larrea tridentata, Lajitas Airport Trails, Brewster Co. 4320
Larrea tridentata, Hot Springs-RGV Trail, Big Bend National Park 8186
Larrea tridentata, Hot Springs-RGV Trail, Big Bend National Park 8192
Larrea tridentata, Lajitas Airport Trails, Brewster Co. 4332
| Scientific Name | Larrea tridentata | USDA PLANTS Symbol | LATR2 |
| Common Name | Creosote Bush | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 29051 |
| Family | Zygophyllaceae (Caltrop) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Dry, desert environments; very abundant and widespread from southwest Texas and west. Plant: Evergreen, tough, long-lived shrub; aromatic, much branched up to 10 feet tall, but often 3 to 5 feet; gray-brown branches and densely leafy near branch tips. Leaves: Opposite, shiny, green, thick leaves split into 2 leaflets joined at the base; leaflets are ovate to oblong or elliptical with pointed tips, less than 1/2-inch long, dark green, shiny, and strongly-scented (especially after rain). Inflorescence: Showy, solitary yellow flowers up to 1 inch wide on pedicels arising from the leaf axils; each with 5 twisted petals; 10 stamens. Bloom Period: February to August and after rains. Fruit: Green seed capsules are round and lobed, 1/4-inch in diameter, covered with white to red woolly hairs. References: Southeastern Arizona Wildflowers and Plants, SEINet and "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2024