Practical
Plants

Chrysothamnus graveolens

Rubber Rabbitbrush

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
2.5 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Material uses

The plant is a source of latex, used in making rubber[1][2]. Unfortunately the latex is not produced in sufficient quantity to make commercial utilization practical[K]. A green dye is obtained from the bark[3][5][8]. A yellow-gold dye is obtained from the flowers[3][5][8]. The stems are used in making wicker plaques[5].

Product or use
Basketry
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Latex

Environment

Range
Western N. America - Montana to Nebraska, Utah and New Mexico.
Habitat
Dry situations in semi-deserts[2][4]. Sterile, especially alkaline soils[7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in spring in a greenhouse and only just covering the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a 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 half-ripe wood, July/August in sand in a frame[4].

Cultivation

Requires a sunny position and prefers a well-drained sandy soil[1][2]. Does not require a rich soil[2]. Tolerates alkaline soils[4]. A very variable and ornamental species[1][2], it is not very hardy in Britain[2]. It can succeed outdoors in the milder areas of the country but it requires the protection of a sunny wall at Kew[2]. The leaves and stems are pleasantly aromatic when crushed[6]. This species is considered by some botanists to be no more than a form of C. nauseosus[9].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  3. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

    ↩1↩2

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Whiting. A. F. Ethnobotany of the Hopi North Arizona Society of Science and Art 1939-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩

  7. Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5

    ↩

  8. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2

  9. Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00

    ↩

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