Hymenoclea salsola
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| Hymenoclea salsola | ||||||||||||||
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| Hymenoclea salsola Torr. & Gray ex Gray |
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Ambrosia salsola |
Hymenoclea salsola is a flowering plant in the daisy family known by several common names, including white burrobrush, cheesebush, and desert pearl. This is a perennial shrub which forms a sprawling bush up to eight feet high. It has thin branches and narrow, needlelike leaves. The foliage has a pungent cheeselike scent when crushed, a trait which gives the plant the common name "cheesebush". It is covered in plentiful white or yellow flowers and then pearly, winged fruits in white, yellow, or pink. It is a common desert plant where it thrives on sandy soil, alkaline environments, and disturbed sites. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. This species easily hybridizes with the common ragweed species Ambrosia dumosa.
