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Purshia tridentata (Pursh) DC.

Antelope bitterbrush, bitterbrush, antelope bush

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassRosidaeRoses, legumes, proteas, dogwoods, hydrangeas, mistletoes, euphorbias, grapes, many more
OrderRosalesRose family and eight others
FamilyRosaceaeIncludes apples, apricots, plums, cherries, peaches, pears, raspberries, strawberries, almonds, roses, meadowsweets, photinias, firethorns, rowans, and hawthorns; many others
GenusPurshiaFor Frederick Traugott Pursh (1774-1820), a Saxon explorer, plant collector, horticulturist and author
SpeciestridentataThree-toothed

About plant names...

Bitterbrush is native to western North America, where it is found at elevations of 3281-8858′ (1-2.7 km). It is found in sagebrush desert and ponderosa pine forests. Its first known collection was by Meriwether Lewis on the Lewis and Clark Expedition in July of 1806 near Lewis and Clark Pass, Montana. Frederick Pursh, the first to receive, work on, and publish the Lewis and Clark botanical collections, named the plant Tigarea tridentata in his 1814 publication, Flora Americae Septentrionalis.

Plants: Low, twisted, gnarly, and spreading, about 3′ (91 cm) high and 6′ (1.8 m) around. There are many horizontal, even prostrate branches and stems.

Leaves: Thick and small, less than 1″ (2.5 cm) long, with very fine hairs that make the plant look grayish. There are three separated teeth at the end of each leaf, providing the “trident” in the species name “tridentata.” (There may be two more lobes as well.) The leaves curl tightly during droughts to reduce water loss.

Flowers: Creamy yellow or white, ¼-¾″ (8-20 mm) aorund, with 5 petals and an unruly collection of about 25 yellow-tipped stamens. Flowers appear from March to June.

Fruits: Slightly fuzzy, ⅛-¼″ (5-7 mm) long, and tapered, with achenes 1/32″ (1.5 mm) long.

Online References:

Wildflowers, Ferns & Trees of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah

The U.S. Forest Service Celebrating Wildflowers site

Www.americansouthwest.net

The Jepson Manual

Purshia tridentata (antelope bitterbrush, bitterbrush, antelope bush)

4/28/2018 · High Point Overlook, Scenic Drive, Red Rock Canyon, Nevada · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm)

Purshia tridentata (antelope bitterbrush, bitterbrush, antelope bush)

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, Cali­fornia · ≈ 6 × 4″ (16 × 11 cm)

Purshia tridentata (antelope bitterbrush, bitterbrush, antelope bush)

4/28/2018 · Red Rock Canyon, Nevada · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)

Purshia tridentata (antelope bitterbrush, bitterbrush, antelope bush)

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, Cali­fornia · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)

Purshia tridentata (Pursh) DC. var. tridentata

 

Purshia tridentata description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.


 

Purshia tridentata (antelope bitterbrush, bitterbrush, antelope bush)

6/1/2009 · Bryce Canyon, Utah · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)

Purshia tridentata (antelope bitterbrush, bitterbrush, antelope bush)

4/28/2018 · High Point Overlook, Scenic Drive, Red Rock Canyon, Nevada · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm)

Purshia tridentata (antelope bitterbrush, bitterbrush, antelope bush)

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, Cali­fornia · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 20 cm)

Purshia tridentata (antelope bitterbrush, bitterbrush, antelope bush)

4/28/2018 · Red Rock Canyon, Nevada · ≈ 15 × 10″ (39 × 26 cm)

Purshia tridentata (antelope bitterbrush, bitterbrush, antelope bush)

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, Cali­fornia · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)

Purshia tridentata (antelope bitterbrush, bitterbrush, antelope bush)

4/28/2018 · High Point Overlook, Scenic Drive, Red Rock Canyon, Nevada · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm)

Purshia tridentata (antelope bitterbrush, bitterbrush, antelope bush)

4/28/2018 · Red Rock Canyon, Nevada · ≈ 6 × 4″ (16 × 11 cm)

Range:

About this map...