Chrysothamnus nauseosus

PSC 2620: Woody Trees and Shrub Course Home Week 11

Chrysothamnus nauseosus - Rubber Rabbitbrush

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Rabbitbrush is a drought tolerant and fast-growing plant with an irregular form. Image: Andrew Herzig	The flowers are yellow in color and form in corymb. Image: Walter Siegmund

Plant Description

Chrysothamnus nauseosus, or Rubber Rabbitbrush, is a drought tolerant shrub that grows 2-6 feet tall and equally as wide. It prefers full sun locations with well-drained soil. It grows quickly and is one of the first plants to establish itself on disturbed sites, such as gravel pits or construction zones.

The leaves are lanceolate to spatulate in shape and gray-green to pale-green in color. They are 1-4 inches long, arranged alternately on the stem, and have an entire margin. Clusters of small yellow tube flowers appear from summer to early fall. The flowers appear in a rounded corymb held slightly above the foliage. After the flowers fade they turn a light tan color, producing dry cloudy texture on top of the bush.

Landscape Use

Use in naturalized plantings or in dry areas. It is not the most attractive plant and should probably be used sparingly in most landscape settings.

Points of interest