Cliffrose

Purshia mexicana

Formerly Cowania mexicana. Moderate to deeply taprooted evergreen shrub less than 12 ft. tall but occasionally reaching 25 ft., with creamy white flowers, blooming April to October. Adapted to well-drained shallow, sandy to rocky textured soils on foothills, slopes, mesas and high plains of forest woodland, mountain brushland and desert shrubland habitats; 3,000 to 8,000 ft. elevation. Colonizer of open disturbed sites, but is mostly killed by wildfire; may weakly sprout afterwards. Occasionally may produce nitrogen-fixing root nodules. Excellent palatability to livestock and wildlife, especially important as browse on winter range.