Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Chamaebatiaria is a monotypic genus of aromatic shrub in the rose family containing the single species Chamaebatiaria millefolium, which is known by the common names fern bush and desert sweet. Its genus name comes from its physical resemblance to the mountain miseries of genus Chamaebatia, which are not closely related. This is a hairy, sticky plant covered in fernlike foliage made up of fronds of small leaflets. At the ends of the erect branches of this spreading bush are flower clusters of white roselike flowers. This shrub is a resident of scrub, woodland, and forests in western North America. The closest relative of Spiraeanthus.

Plant type

Shrub

Size

2 - 7 ft Tall

Form

Rounded

Growth rate

Moderate

Calscape icon
Color

White, Cream

Flowering season

Summer

Special uses

Hedge

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water

Very Low

Soil description

Prefers sandy or loamy soils. Does not grow well in clay soils.

Propagation

For propagating by seed: Fresh seeds need no treatment; stored seeds 3 mos. stratification

Sunset Zones

1, 2*, 3*, 7*, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17, 18*, 19, 20, 21

Site type

Dry, rocky places

Plant communities

Northern Juniper Woodland, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, Sagebrush Scrub, Shadscale Scrub

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

1 confirmed and 0 likely

Confirmed Likely

Nuttall's Sheep Moth

Hemileuca nuttalli