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Larrea - (Sessé.&Moc. ex DC.)Coville.

Common Name Creosote Bush - Chaparral
Family Zygophyllaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards Acute hepatitis associated with oral use. Contact dermatitis also reported. Not considered safe as a herbal remedy [301].
Habitats Desert areas[254].
Range South-western N. America.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Larrea Creosote Bush - Chaparral


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs
Larrea Creosote Bush - Chaparral
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs

 

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Summary

Sometimes misspelt as Larrea tridendata


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Larrea is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft 1in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

L. divaricata. L. mexicana. Larrea tridendata (incorrect)

Habitats

Edible Uses

The flower buds are pickled in vinegar and used as a caper substitute[183]. The stems and leaves are a tea substitute[183]. The twigs are chewed to alleviate thirst[2, 183]. A resin is obtained from the leaves and twigs, it delays or prevents oils and fats from becoming rancid[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


Creosote bush was widely used by various North American Indian tribes. A decoction of the leaves was used to treat diarrhoea and stomach troubles whilst the young twigs were used to treat toothache and a poultice of the leaves was used to treat chest complaints and as a wash for skin problems[254]. It continued to be widely used as a treatment for rheumatic disease, venereal infections, urinary infections and certain types of cancer, especially leukaemia until its sale was banned in North America due to concern over its potential toxic effect upon the liver[254]. There have been a number of cases of acute or sub-acute hepatitis attributed to the use of this herb and so its internal use is not recommended until further research has been carried out[254]. A tea made from the leaves is used as an expectorant and pulmonary antiseptic[213]. Some N. American Indian tribes heated the shoot tips of this plant and dripped the sap (probably the resin[K]) into tooth cavities to treat toothache[213].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Carbon Farming - Industrial Crop: hydrocarbon.

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a moderately fertile moisture-retentive soil in full sun or light shade[200]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[200]. The plant is resinous and aromatic[200]. Carbon Farming - Cultivation: experimental. Management: coppice.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of new growth in spring in a frame[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

None Known

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Larrea tridentataCreosote Bush - ChaparralShrub4.0 7-10  LMHSNM223

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

(Sessé.&Moc. ex DC.)Coville.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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Subject : Larrea  
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