Bitterbrush
(Purshia tridentata)
Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata)
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Matt Lavin
CC BY-SA 2.0
Image By:
Matt Lavin
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Copyright:
CC BY-SA 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Matt Lavin | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ | Uploader: Matt Lavin | Publisher: Flickr
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Purshia tridentata, commonly known as Bitterbrush or Antelope Brush, is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub native to the arid shrublands and open woodlands of the Great Basin and the Rocky Mountains in the Western United States and Western Canada. It typically grows to a height of 1–5 meters with a similar spread, featuring many branches and slender, green, three- to five-lobed leaves that are 5–20 millimeters long. The pale yellow flowers, each with five petals 6–8 mm long and darker yellow anthers, bloom from late spring to early summer and are modest in their showiness. Bitterbrush is a nitrogen-fixing plant, which enables it to thrive in nutrient-poor soils and improve soil fertility over time.
Bitterbrush is valued for its adaptability to arid conditions, making it suitable for xeriscaping and restoration projects. It is also used for wildlife habitat enhancement, as it provides food and cover for animals. In cultivation, it requires full sun exposure and can tolerate low water conditions once established, preferring well-drained soils. While it is not commonly used in ornamental horticulture, its resilience and ecological benefits make it an important species for natural landscaping and erosion control. Gardeners should be aware that Bitterbrush can be susceptible to fungal diseases in wet conditions and may require good air circulation to prevent issues.CC BY-SA 4.0
Bitterbrush is valued for its adaptability to arid conditions, making it suitable for xeriscaping and restoration projects. It is also used for wildlife habitat enhancement, as it provides food and cover for animals. In cultivation, it requires full sun exposure and can tolerate low water conditions once established, preferring well-drained soils. While it is not commonly used in ornamental horticulture, its resilience and ecological benefits make it an important species for natural landscaping and erosion control. Gardeners should be aware that Bitterbrush can be susceptible to fungal diseases in wet conditions and may require good air circulation to prevent issues.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 3-6 feet
- Width: 3-9 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low
- Drainage: Fast, Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Butterfly Garden, Fire Resistant, Fragrant, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Arid shrublands and open woodlands of the Great Basin and the Rocky Mountains
Other Names
Common Names: Antelope Bitterbrush , Antelope Bush , Purshie Tridentée , Antelope Brush , Buckbrush , Quinine Brush , Deerbrush , Blackbrush , Greasewood
Scientific Names: Purshia tridentata , Purshia tridentata var. tridentata , Kunzia tridentata , Tigarea tridentata
GBIF Accepted Name: Purshia tridentata (Pursh) DC.