Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 3103017

Rubber Rabbitbrush

Ericameria nauseosa

Also known as Chamisa, Gray Rabbitbrush

Rubber rabbitbrush lights up arid western landscapes late in the season, producing dense golden-yellow flower clusters when most other native flora has gone dormant. Its silver-grey foliage is coated in fine hairs that trap moisture and deter thirsty herbivores in harsh desert environments. The plant produces natural latex within its tissues, making it a resilient native shrub and a crucial late-fall nectar station for migrating insects.

ShrubDesert NativeFall Blooming
Rubber Rabbitbrush reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Photosynthetic
Predators
  • Pronghorn
  • Mule Deer
  • Jackrabbits
ThreatsInvasive weed competition, altered fire regimes, habitat loss
HabitatsDesert scrub, sagebrush steppe, dry canyons, roadsides
Life span10–20 years
Classification
  1. OrderAsterales
  2. FamilyAsteraceae
  3. GenusEricameria
  4. SpeciesEricameria nauseosa
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Late-season pollen can trigger hay fever; observe without shaking blooming branches.
Responsible observation
  • Late Season Observation: Search for blooming clumps from August through October when bright yellow heads attract abundant pollinators.
  • Scent Identification: Gently crush a leaf between fingers to release its distinctive resinous, pungent aroma.
  • Habitat Context: Spot this deep-rooted shrub along dry roadsides, eroded slopes, and open sagebrush basins.
Related species
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