Ambrosia ilicifolia is a species of ragweed known by the common names hollyleaf burr ragweed and hollyleaf bursage.
It is native to the deserts and mountains of western Arizona, and the adjacent Sonoran Desert areas of southeastern California, Sonora and Baja California. It grows in dry washes, scrub, and other local habitats.Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
Description Ambrosia ilicifolia is a small, matted shrub under in height. Its stiff, straight branches are green, glandular, and leafy when young, and light gray and leafless when older. The holly-like leaves are leathery but brittle, oval-shaped to rounded, and edged with spine-tipped teeth. They are green, veiny and sticky with resin.Payne, Willard William 1964. Journal of the Arnold Arboretum 45(4): 425
The inflorescence holds several spiny staminate (male) flower heads next to larger pistillate (female) heads. Each pistillate head produces usually two fruits, which are yellow-brown burrs nearly 2 centimeters wide. Each burr is rounded, sticky, and covered in hooked spines.
References
External links Calflora Database: Ambrosia ilicifolia (Holly leaved burbush, Hollyleaf bursage) Jepson Manual eFlora (TKM2) treatment of Ambrosia ilicifolia UC Calphotos Photo gallery: Ambrosia ilicifolia