Sarcobatus vermiculatus

Black greasewood

Family: Sarcobataceae · Type: shrub · Native

Black greasewood is a native shrub found in the Great Basin and Mojave Desert in alkaline soils, dry lakes, washes, and scrublands at elevations of 100 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from April to August, this plant produces flowers in subtle cream to white clusters. Growing 50 to 210 centimeters tall with an approximately spherical form, it develops erect stems ranging from yellow-cream to white or light gray. Its dense, intricate branching structure creates a distinctive rounded silhouette that helps the plant survive in harsh desert environments. This adaptable shrub thrives in challenging alkaline landscapes, demonstrating remarkable resilience in extreme desert conditions.

Habitat: Alkaline soils, dry lakes, washes, scrub, roadsides

Bloom period: Apr-Aug

Elevation: 100-2300 m

Bioregions: GB, DMoj

California counties: Inyo, Siskiyou, Lassen, Los Angeles, Modoc, Kern, Mono, San Bernardino, Plumas, Imperial

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.