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Ericameria nauseosa var. nauseosa
Ericameria nauseosa (Pall. ex Pursh) G.L. Nesom & Baird var. nauseosa
Rubber Rabbitbrush, Rabbitbrush
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s): Chrysothamnus frigidus, Chrysothamnus nauseosus, Chrysothamnus nauseosus var. nauseosus, Chrysothamnus nauseosus var. typicus
USDA Symbol: ernan5
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Rabbitbrush is a 2 ft., deciduous shrub with aromatic, blue-green, feathery foliage and dense clusters of bright-yellow, fuzzy flowers. When grown in well-drained soil it takes on a soft, mounded form. Wiry, white stems and dry seed heads create winter interest.
Cutting back in the winter will create a thick, bushy plant. Though rabbitbrush is good for stabilizing open, waste places, it is considered a poisonous "weed" on rangelands. Cool summers are a necessity. Unlike most native species, rabbitbrush flowers first at high elevations and last on lower slopes.
This taxon appears as Ericameria nauseosa ssp. nauseosa var. nauseosa on the USDA PLANTS Database website.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Subshrub , Shrub
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.
Leaf: White-Gray
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: CO , MT , ND , NE , NM , OK , SD , TX , WYNative Distribution: Saskatchewan south to uplands of w. Texas and New Mexico.
Native Habitat: Dry grasslands, badlands, salt flats, and foothills.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Benefit
Warning: Rabbitbrush has caused poisoning in livestock that have eaten it. Humans should generally avoid ingesting any plant that is toxic to animals.Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Ericameria nauseosa var. nauseosa in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Ericameria nauseosa var. nauseosa in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ericameria nauseosa var. nauseosa
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-07-20Research By: TWC Staff