Creosote Bush - Larrea tridentata
East of Hillsboro, NM
Mary 15, 2014
Certainly not rare, but quite beautiful, the Creosote Bushes, Larrea tridentata, were in bloom in May 2014. Also known as Greasewood, Hediondilla, Governadora, and Guamis. Scientific synonyms for this species include Zygophyllum tridentatum, Larrea divaricata var. arenaria, Covillea tridentata, Neoschroeterea tridentata, Schroeterella tridentata, Larrea glutinosa...
A bush of this species, known as King Clone, is believed by some to be about 11,700 years old - making it one of the oldest living organisms on Earth. That estimate is based on present growth rates, however, and is subject to error. That date has not been substantiated by other methods.
Preparations from this species are used as antiseptics and emetics.
To the south it is found as far as central Mexico. It is the dominant shrub at lower elevations of the Chihuahuan, Sonoran, and Mojave Deserts.
Edgar Mearns collected the specimen shown below on March 24, 1894 along the Colorado River at Colonia Diaz, Sonora.
Vulture Road/Percha Box Overlook, East of Hillsboro, New Mexico
May 4, 2020
Photographs immediately above and below
Ready Pay Gulch, East of Hillsboro, NM
February 26, 2021
Photographs immediately above and below
