Turpentine Bush
Ericameria laricifolia
Photographed at Bulldog Canyon, Goldfield Mountains, Maricopa Co., Arizona. 11 Oct. 2008. (above)
Galls caused by the feeding of a small moth larva can resemble small conifer cones! The bud has been hollowed out by a feeding caterpillar and will not develop. Read more about this insect.
SHRUB: Medium-sized shrub mostly about one
meter in diameter.
LEAVES: Dark green resinous leaves are needle-like - fleshy and
more-or-less cylindrical. Shrubs may resemble a small conifer and indeed emit
piney, resinous odor on being crushed.
FLOWERS: Bright yellow flowers in smallish heads contrast nicely with
the dark green foliage; rays and disc flowers yellow. Rays sometimes few and
short. Blooms late in summer into autumn.
RANGE: Frequent at higher elevations of the Sonoran Desert in Arizona
and Mexico at roadsides, on bajadas and high on wash banks. Ranges also from
California to Texas.
FRUIT: Achenes are topped with a pappus of fine, tan bristles.
UNARMED. Thornless.