Purshia tridentata var. glandulosa
Antelope brush
Photo: parent species Purshia tridentata · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Purshia tridentata var. glandulosa (Antelope brush) is a native California shrub in the Rosaceae family, recognized by glandular hairs and leaf glands.
Antelope brush is a California native shrub found in central and eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, Tehachapi, northern Transverse Ranges, eastern edge of Peninsular Ranges, Sierra Nevada, and Desert Mountains in chaparral at desert margins, Joshua-tree, and pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations of 500 to 3,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white to cream flowers with distinctive glandular characteristics. Growing with spreading to upright branches 1 to 3 meters tall, it has twigs covered in glandular hairs that give the shrub a distinctive texture. Its leaves are small, sessile, with sparse nonglandular hairs on the upper surface and occasional sunken glands that contribute to its unique appearance. In dry, rocky habitats, antelope brush serves as an important shrub for wildlife and ecosystem stability in high desert and montane environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; key feature is glandular hairs and leaf glands
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral at desert margins, Joshua-tree, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 500-3505 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, San Diego, Alameda, Riverside, Tulare, Mono, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Imperial, San Luis Obispo, Nevada
Outside California: Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Mexico
Bloom period
Purshia tridentata var. glandulosa blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Baccharis: Purshia has lobed leaves with rolled margins; Baccharis has simple, entire or toothed leaves without lobes.; vs Ceanothus: Purshia leaves have 3-9 narrow lobes at the tip; Ceanothus leaves are simple with small teeth along edges.; vs Ribes: Purshia has wedge-shaped leaves lobed only at the tip; currant leaves are broadly lobed from the base.; vs Adenostoma: Purshia has 3-9 lobed leaves; chamise has needle-like, unlobed leaves clustered on short shoots.; vs Artemisia: Purshia has woody stems and large white flowers; sagebrush has inconspicuous flower heads in spikes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Purshia tridentata var. glandulosa native to California?
Yes. Purshia tridentata var. glandulosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Purshia tridentata var. glandulosa bloom?
Purshia tridentata var. glandulosa blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Purshia tridentata var. glandulosa grow?
Purshia tridentata var. glandulosa occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, San Diego, Alameda, Riverside, Tulare and other counties, at elevations of 500-3505 m.
What plant family does Purshia tridentata var. glandulosa belong to?
Purshia tridentata var. glandulosa is in the Rosaceae family, genus Purshia.
What habitat does Purshia tridentata var. glandulosa grow in?
Purshia tridentata var. glandulosa grows in Chaparral at desert margins, Joshua-tree, pinyon/juniper woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.