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Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
Shrubs Around Las Vegas, Vegetation Around Las Vegas
Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)

General: Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) is an upright, spiny shrub 3-5 feet tall with fleshy, upright leaves. The staminate flowers look like little pine cones, and pistillate flower is cup-like and held in a broad leafy disk.

Greasewood is a common component of shrub communities to the north of Las Vegas in the Great Basin, but sometimes can be found closer to home.

Family: Goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae).

Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
pistillate flower

Plant Form: Upright, shrub.

Height: To about 5 feet.

Bark: Yellow-green to gray.

Stems: Upright, spreading.

Leaves: Fleshy, held upright.

Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
Fleshy leaves held upright; staminate flowers

Flowers: Staminate flowers look like little pine cones, and pistillate flower is cup-like and held in a broad leafy disk.

Seeds:

Habitat: Areas with alkaline soils.

Elevation: To about 7,000 ft

Distribution: Western North America from California to Texas, and from the arctic to Mexico.

Comments:

Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
Thicket of Greasewood shrubs
Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
A few isolated Greasewood shrubs in a valley bottom
Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
Fleshy leaves held upright
Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
Fleshy leaves held upright
Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
Fleshy leaves held upright
Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
Fleshy leaves held upright
Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
Staminate flower bud
Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
Staminate flower bud
Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
Staminate flower (open)
Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
Staminate flowers, spent
Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
Pistillate flowers
Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
Pistillate flowers
Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
Pistillate flower with wings
Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
Ripe seeds making fall colors

Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate. Names generally follow the USDA database.
copyright; Last updated 220810

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