Larrea tridentata
South american creosote bush
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Zygophyllaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Larrea tridentata (South american creosote bush) is a native California shrub in the Zygophyllaceae family, recognized by Monotypic genus in North America - this widespread desert dominant represents the only New World species in a primarily South American genus.
South american creosote bush is a native shrub found in the Sonoran Desert, Mojave Desert, and uncommon in the Tehachapi Mountains, San Joaquin Valley, Southern California, and San Jacinto Mountains in desert scrub at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces small yellow-green flowers less than 2.5 centimeters wide with distinctive brown petal claws. Growing with a dense, rounded form to approximately 1 to 3 meters tall, it has stiff, resinous branches that give off a strong aromatic scent when crushed. Its leaves are composed of small, obliquely lanceolate leaflets less than 18 millimeters long, with a distinctive curved shape and tiny awns between leaflets. The fruit is covered in dense, silvery to red-brown hairs approximately 2 to 4 millimeters long, giving the plant a distinctive textured appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Monotypic genus in North America - this widespread desert dominant represents the only New World species in a primarily South American genus
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Desert scrub
Elevation: < 1000 m
California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, Kern, Imperial, Los Angeles, San Diego
Outside California: to southwestern Utah, Texas, central Mexico
Bloom period
Larrea tridentata blooms Apr-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Keckiella: Larrea has paired compound leaves fused at base; Keckiella has simple opposite leaves without leaflets.; vs Baccharis: Larrea has paired compound leaves smelling of creosote; Baccharis has simple alternate leaves without resin smell.; vs Purshia: Larrea has 2 resinous leaflets fused at base; Purshia has small wedge-shaped simple leaves in clusters.; vs Encelia: Larrea has compound leaves with 2 fused leaflets; Encelia has simple oval leaves and yellow daisy flowers.; vs Adenostoma: Larrea has 2 resinous leaflets per leaf; Adenostoma has needle-like clustered simple leaves without resin.
Frequently asked questions
Is Larrea tridentata native to California?
Yes. Larrea tridentata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Larrea tridentata bloom?
Larrea tridentata blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Larrea tridentata grow?
Larrea tridentata occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, Kern, Imperial, Los Angeles, San Diego, at elevations of < 1000 m.
What plant family does Larrea tridentata belong to?
Larrea tridentata is in the Zygophyllaceae family, genus Larrea.
What habitat does Larrea tridentata grow in?
Larrea tridentata grows in Common. Desert scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.