California Gardens - The Year Round Gardening Site

Chrysothamnus nauseosus ~ Rabbit Brush (syn Ericameria nauseosa)

Chrysothamnus nauseosus grow through much of California's hot interior up to an elevation above 10,000 feet and also grows through much of the Plains, Rockies and points West. Rabbit Brush grows in disturbed areas, requiring little rainfall and scanty soils. The Rabbit Brush name, Chrysothamnus nauseosus has been changed to Ericameria nauseosa, as usual, the change is slow to trickle through the nursery trade and the former name is still often used. Chrysothamnus nauseosus grows 2-4 feet tall. The silver foliage is topped by golden yellow flowers when moisture is available Summer into Fall. There are a wealth of butterflies that regularly visit the late blooming Rabbit Brush including the Mournful Duskywing, Gray Hairstreak, White Checkered Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Hedgerow Hairstreak, California Common Ringlet, Mormon Metalmark, Giant Swallowtail, and Painted Lady. Chrysothamnus nauseosus is quite fragrant, some folks are allergic to the pollen in the air so this is not likely a positive aspect for everybody.

Chrysothamnus nauseosus, Rabbit Brush

Flowers and foliage of Chrysothamnus nauseosus - Rabbit Brush. High resolution photos are part of our garden image collection.

High resolution photos of are part of our garden image collection.