Ericameria paniculata (formerly Chrysothamnus paniculatus)Mojave Desert Wildflowers, Pam MacKay, 2nd Ed. 2013, p. 314 is a species of flowering plant in the sunflower family Asteraceae, native to the southwestern United States. It is an evergreen yellow-flowered desert shrub.
It is known by several common names, including black-banded rabbitbrush, Mojave rabbitbrush, and punctate rabbitbrush.Mojave Desert Wildflowers, Pam MacKay, 2nd Ed. 2013, p. 199 The stems often have black, gummy bands.
Description Ericameria paniculata is a branching shrub reaching up to 2 meters (80 inches) tall. The spreading or erect stems are glandular and resinous and are often banded or splotched with black from a smut fungus Puccinia splendens. The glandular leaves are filiform (thread-shaped or narrowly oblanceolate) up to 3.5 centimeters (1.4 inches) in length.
The inflorescence is an array of small, yellow flower heads, each of which contains 5 to 8 disc florets but no ray florets. The fruit is up to a centimeter (0.4 inches) long including its long pappus. They are wind-dispersed.Ericameria paniculata, Mojave or punctate rabbitbrush Flora of North America.Chrysothamnus paniculatus. Jepson Manual Treatment.
It flowers from June to December.
Range and habitat Ericameria paniculata is native to the deserts of Arizona, Nevada, southern California, southwestern Utah. It is particularly common in the Mojave Desert.Tesky, Julie L. 1993. Chrysothamnus paniculatus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory.Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution mapCalflora taxon report, University of California, Ericameria paniculata (A. Gray) Rydb., Mojave rabbitbrush
It is found in a great variety of habitats, including disturbed areas such as roadsides. It tolerates poor soils. Its companions may include Larrea tridentata (creosote), Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree), Baccharis, Hymenoclea salsola (white burrobush), Atriplex polycarpa (desert saltbush), and Acacia greggii (catclaw acacia).
References
External links
CalPhotos Photo Gallery, University of California
United States Department of Agriculture Plants Profile