Rubber rabbitbrush

Ericameria nauseosa

Formerly Chrysothamnus nauseosus. Bushy deciduous shrub up to 8 ft. tall with yellow compact flower clusters, blooming May to November. Adapted to various soils from gravel to heavy clays on slightly acidic to strongly basic or saline sites. Found in dry, open plains, valley bottoms, drainages, foothills and mountains; up to 10,000 ft. elevation. Common component of numerous habitats including, ponderosa pine, sagebrush, desert and mountain shrub, pinyon-juniper, mountain plains and desert grasslands. Establishes easily and aggressively after disturbance, becoming a minor community component over time. Sprouts vigorously after wildfire. Important winter browse for deer, antelope and elk on poor or depleted rangelands. Provides cover for small mammals and birds including sage-grouse. Attracts numerous native insect pollinators. Flowers are foraged by yellow faced bees, which are thought to be endemic to Craters of the Moon National Monument, ID. Caterpillar host for the moth Pelochrista crambitana.