No images found for this plant ID: 10330.
Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "10330" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.
yellow rabbitbrush
Scientific Name: Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus ssp. viscidiflorus var
Family: Asteraceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Shrub
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Yellow Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus)
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, commonly known as yellow rabbitbrush or green rabbitbrush, is a shrub species belonging to the daisy family (Asteraceae).
Considerations for Pets
- The foliage and flowers are noted to be sticky to the touch.
Considerations for Children
- American Indians traditionally used this plant to make chewing gum.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus (Hook.) Nutt.
- Family: Asteraceae (or Compositae)
- Synonyms: Bigelovia douglasii, Ericameria viscidiflora
- Other Common Names: Green rabbitbrush, Stickyleaf rabbitbrush, Douglas rabbitbrush, Low rabbitbrush, Rubber rabbitbrush
Distribution and Habitat
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus is native to North America. It's found east of the Cascade Mountains in Oregon and Washington and also in Arizona's montane flora. One specific location mentioned is Blue Ridge Summit (7,360').
Morphological Characteristics
- The plant is described as an erect, globe-shaped shrub, typically branching from near the base.
- It can grow to be two to six feet wide and two to four feet tall.
- Leaves are small and silvery.
- Flowers are small, perfect (containing both male and female parts), conical, and borne in rounded clusters, exhibiting a golden-yellow color. They bloom in the late summer and early fall.
- The foliage and flowers are sticky to the touch.
- Yellow Twig rabbit brush provides fall and winter interest in xeric landscapes.
Ecological Role
- Yellow rabbitbrush is browsed by large game.
- It provides cover and nesting habitat for sage-grouse.
- Honey bees forage pollen from rabbitbrush.
- A Coronis Fritillary (Speyeria coronis) butterfly is known to visit Yellow Rabbitbrush.
Traditional Uses
American Indians used yellow rabbitbrush to make tea, cough syrup, and yellow dye, and chewing gum.
Further Information
- Discover Life offers a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus.
- Bugwood.org (Mary Ellen (Mel) Harte)
- Garden Guides offers plant information, identification information on uses and more about the Yellow Rabbitbrush (Viscidiflorus) and gardening.