Purshia tridentata

Purshia tridentata is a nitrogen fixing shrub in the Rose family, native to mountainous areas of western North America ranging from southeastern British Columbia in the north, east to Montana and south to California and New Mexico. It grows on arid mountainsides; in California it occurs between 700-3,400 meter above sea level (Jepson) in the southern mountains and into the eastern Sierras, but lower further north, at 320-1,065 meter from the Cascades up to British Columbia (Plants of British Columbia). Common names include Antelope Brush, Antelope Bitterbrush, Buckbrush, Quinine Brush, and less commonly Deerbrush, Blackbrush, and Greasewood. Some of these names are shared with other closely related species. There are two recognized Varieties: Var. tridentata is generally found from Tulare County northward. Var. glandulosa is generally found from Mono County southward. This is an attractive plant for dry, mountainous areas and very important for wildlife. Although it is native to arid places, it can tolerate garden conditions as long as drainage is good.