Ambrosia dumosa (Burro bush)

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Ambrosia dumosa (A. Gray) Payne

Burro bush, burro-weed, white bursage

Kingdom	Plantae	Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta	Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division	Magnoliophyta	Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class	Magnoliopsida	Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass	Asteridae	A large class that encompasses asters
Order	Asterales	Flowering plants with a central disk flower and surrounding petals, like daisies
Family	Asteraceae	The aster family, which also includes daisies and sunflowers; from the Greek ἀστήρ, “star,” for the star-shaped flowers
Genus	Ambrosia	It is not known why this genus is named from the Greek ἀμβροσία, or “food of the gods”
Species	dumosa	Bushy, shrubby

About plant names...

Burro bush is common in the American southwest and northwestern Mexico. Its roots grow away from those of similar species, to reduce contention for water. Creosote bush, common in the same habitats, secretes a chemical that inhibits the growth of burro bush.

Identification: Burro bush reaches up to 3' (91 cm) in height. It has many fine branches, almost resembling a porcupine. The leaves are very irregular in shape, and pale green. They remind me of lichen. Flowers are small and yellow. The seeds, which may be yellow, purple, or brown, are round in shape and sharp-pointed, like burs.

Burro bush flowers, from the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association

Online References:

The Arizona Sonora Desert Museum Sonoran Desert Digital Library

CalPhotos

The USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

DesertUSA: Exploring the Southwest

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, California
≈ 7 × 4½" (18 × 12 cm)

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, California
≈ 10 × 6" (24 × 16 cm)

2/28/2010 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California
≈ 14 × 9" (35 × 23 cm) ID is uncertain

2/17/2007 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California

Franseria dumosa A. Gray

Ambrosia dumosa description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 7 Oct 2021.

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, California
≈ 10 × 6" (24 × 16 cm)

2/28/2010 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California
≈ 31 × 21" (78 × 52 cm)

2/28/2010 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California
≈ 24 × 16" (62 × 41 cm) ID is uncertain

5/2/2018 · Pinto Basin Road, Joshua Tree National Park, California
≈ 8 × 5" (20 × 13 cm)

5/2/2018 · Pinto Basin Road, Joshua Tree National Park, California
≈ 4½ × 7" (12 × 18 cm)

5/2/2018 · Pinto Basin Road, Joshua Tree National Park, California
≈ 6 × 4" (16 × 11 cm)

Range:

About this map...