Creosote

Larrea tridentata

Plant type:

Shrub

Lifecycle:

Perennial

Growing season:

Cover:

Moderate

Seedling rate:

2-4

Soil

Acceptable soil conditions:

Loam,

Sand,

Gravel

Soil Conditions:

Metal

Location

Min elevation:

Max elevation:

5000

Counties:

Clark,

Esmeralda,

Lincoln,

Nye

Reproduction & Growth

Growth rate:

Low

Germination overall:

Low

Germination rate:

Slow

Germination requirements:

Removing creosote bush seeds from the hull can improve germination compared to unhulled seeds. Soaking or leaching seeds in water for 12 to 48 hours prior to sowing can remove germination inhibitors and promote imbibition.

Reproduction:

Establishment:

Lifespan:

Long

Survival:

Ecological

Best suited for these site conditions:

Cold

Disturbance

Best suited for these management goals:

Tortoise habitat

Drought resilience

Pollinator habitat

Increased soil health

Wildlife habitat

Additional Information

Warning:

toxic for some animals

Commercial availability:

Commonly available

Citations:

Baxter 1988, Gardea-Torresdey et al. 1998, Gibson et al. 2004, Bainbridge & Virginia 1990, Whitford et al. 2001, Wolf et al. 2024.