Rubber Rabbitbrush, Ericameria nauseosa is cold hardy, drought tolerant, fast growing perennial shrub that grows 1-7 ft. tall. Not usually taller than 5 ft. Adapted to a wide range of soil types and can be found on loamy, sandy, clay areas that also range from alkaline to acidic. In general, this plant tolerates extremely arid conditions, poor soil, along with moisture and salt stress -- it's leaves and stems are even coated in a felt that reduces transpiration and increases its cold hardiness. It prefers dry valley bottoms, plains, and open sunny areas in mountains and their foothills with at least 7 inches of annual precipitation. Associated with oak, chokecherry, ash-cottonwood, ponderosa, basin wildrye, big sagebrush and desert grasslands.
Rabbitbrush is a very unique and useful plant on the range or in a home garden. The top genus for late season pollinator support.
- It's excellent at managing and improving your soil; providing soil stability and erosion control thanks to its root system and heavy litter. It also has the ability to regulate the temperature and moisture of surrounding soil.
- Yellow flowers bloom August to October while other plants blooms fade away. One of the few plants native to the Intermountain-West that provides habitat and pollen for pollinators in the late Summer and Fall months.
- Important species for sage grouse overall and heavily used in the winter months by wildlife for food and cover
- Great ornamental potential in native landscapes. Vibrant and attractive yellow flowers that bloom late in abundance, with silvery green foliage. Works great as a screen or a background for summer wildflowers. It's tolerance for drought and poor conditions make a great choice for low maintenance, sustainable, desert landscaping.
