Black greasewood

Sarcobatus vermiculatus

Deciduous to semi-evergreen long-lived spiny shrub 3-10 ft. tall with green female flowers and male pine cone-shaped flowers, blooming May to September. Adapted to a wide variety of soils from heavy clays to coarse loams and tolerant of strongly sodic and saline soils. Highly drought tolerant but also stands high water tables and prolonged flooding within arid to semi-arid habitats and lowland western deserts; up to 8,500 ft. elevation. Often dominant on saline sites but also occurs with various saltbushes (Atriplex spp.), Iodinebush (Allenrolfea occidentalis), Rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa), Spiny hopsage (Grayia spinosa), Basin big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata), Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis). Excellent soil stabilizer, especially on sites too saline for most other species; also processed oil shales. Able to crown sprout after damage and may do so vigorously after moderately severe wildfire. Substantial lateral root system as far as 12 ft. from the main plant with buds which sprout after disturbance. Palatable to livestock but toxic in large quantities without considerable other forage in the diet. Lightly browsed by mule deer and pronghorn during spring and summer. Important food source and cover for jackrabbits.