Blackbrush

Compact symmetrically rounded evergreen to drought-deciduous shrub up to 6 ft. tall with yellow to brown petal-less flowers, blooming March to June. Adapted to shallow, poorly developed soils of well-drained rocky sands on valley bottoms, washes and flatlands; 1,000 to 7,000 ft. elevation. Occupies the transition between the Creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) and White bursage (Ambrosia dumosa) communities of the Mojave Desert and the sagebrush communities of the Great Basin. Occurs in pure stands or with Joshua tree, juniper, Winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata), Shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia) and Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus). Intolerant of fire. Winter browse for mule deer and bighorn sheep. Provides seeds and cover for small mammals and birds. Caterpillar host for Griffin's sheepmoth.