Grayia spinosa, commonly known as hop sage or spiny hop sage, is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub native to the arid and semi-arid regions of the Western United States. It is adapted to a variety of habitats, including sagebrush steppe, shadscale scrub, and creosote bush communities, often found in valleys and foothills. This plant is indigenous to states such as Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. Hop sage typically reaches heights of 12-59 inches and features reddish-brown stems with whitish ribs, while older bark turns dark gray. Its lateral branches are stiff with spiny ends, and it is adorned with small, flat to scoop-like alternate leaves. The dioecious nature of the plant means that male and female flowers are found on separate plants, with male flowers grouped in clumps and female flowers surrounded by bracteoles. During hot or dry periods, the shrub forms a woody gray thicket and can remain evergreen in milder regions.

Hop sage is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor, alkaline soils, making it a suitable choice for xeriscaping and naturalistic plantings in arid landscapes. Its unique form and texture provide visual interest, and it can serve as a habitat for wildlife. In cultivation, it requires minimal maintenance once established, preferring full sun and well-drained soils. It is not commonly afflicted by diseases or pests, but gardeners should be aware that its spiny branches can make handling difficult. There are no popular garden cultivars of this species, and it is not typically grown outside its native range, thus minimizing the risk of invasiveness.CC BY-SA 4.0