Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) is a native shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It is fast growing and long-lived. It grows in an irregular form to a height of 10 feet, with active growth during the summer. Flowers are green and bloom in the spring. Leaves are light-green and deciduous. It tends to grow in alkaline soils, dry lakes and washes, at elevations from 300-6900 feet.

Plant type

Shrub

Size

6 - 10 ft Tall

Growth rate

Fast

Dormancy

Winter Deciduous

Calscape icon
Color

Green

Flowering season

Spring

Special uses

Hedge

Sun

Full Sun

Soil description

Prefers loamy or clay soils. Grows poorly in sandy soils.

Site type

Alkaline soils, dry lakes, washes

Plant communities

Alkali Sink, Creosote Bush Scrub, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, Sagebrush Scrub

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

1 confirmed and 2 likely

Confirmed Likely

Abagrotis discoidalis

Placid Dart

Abagrotis placida

California Tortoiseshell

Nymphalis californica