Creosote bush facts

Creosote bush is a unique component of hot deserts in North America. This plant endures arid conditions due to its toughness. It is a shrub which has medium to large size with ample pliable stems. It grows up to 4 feet in height but can reach up to 12 ft. in heights with ample water. It has small, yellow to green, pointed leaves which could conserve water and deplete heat. During extreme drought, the bush may give up some of waxy and resinous leaves but not all. These leaves are aromatic after a rain and used as antiseptics or emetics by indigeneous peoples. The leaves provide shelter for grasshoppers, crickets and praying mantids.

Name	Creosote bush
Scientific Name	Larrea tridentata
Native	Larrea tridentata develops in the Sonoran, Mojave and Chihuahuan Deserts.
Common/English Name	Black bush, Creosote bush, Chaparral, Creosote bush, Dwarf Evergreen Oak, Creosotum, Greasewood, Grease bush, Guamis, Jarilla, Paloondo, Ccreosote,
Vernacular names	German: Kreosotstrauch Spanish: gobernadora Swedish: kreosotbuske
Plant Growth Habit	Drought tolerant, evergreen shrub
Plant Size	Height: 2-4 m tall, Width: 1.8 m
Lifespan	Hundred years
Root	Shallow taproot
Bark	Initially smooth and gray which turns to darker
Stem	Numerous, flexible
Leaf	Thick, resinous, waxy; Length: 12-25 mm; alternate, yellow to green
Leaflet	Length: 7-18 mm (0.28- 0.71 inch); Broad: 4-8.5 mm (0.16- 0.33 inch)
Flowering Season	February- August
Flower	Yellow, solitary, axillary, Width: 2 cm, hermaphrodite, Diameter: 25 mm (0.98 inch); five petals
Fruit shape & size	Small, globose
Fruit color	Reddish to white
Fruit Taste	Bitter
Seed	Five
Health Benefits	Lowers cholesterol Treats cancer Multiple treatment HIV treatment
Traditional uses	To treat arthritis To treat bronchitis and the common cold To prevent and treat cancer To reduce inflammation To alleviate menstrual cramps To promote urination To stop muscle spasms
Precautions	It may result in fatigue, contact dermatitis, stomach upset, jaundice, liver damage, cirrhosis of liver, acute hepatitis and kidney failure. Consultancy of a health professional is required before using it. It also leads to renal toxicity and hepatic. It is better to avoid by the small children, pregnant and lactation women. The people with hepatitis or liver cirrhosis should not use it. The external use might cause allergy, rash and itching.
How to Eat	Flower buds are used to pickle in vinegar. It is a perfect substitute for caper. The leaves and stems are used as a substitute for tea. The chewing of twigs relieves thirst.
Other Facts	Creosote bush grows below 5,000 ft. in altitude. King Clone is one of the oldest living plants in Mojave Desert.