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Hymenoclea salsola Torr. & A. Gray var. salsola

Cheesebush

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassAsteridaeA large class that encompasses asters
OrderAsteralesFlowering plants with a central disk flower and surrounding petals, like daisies
FamilyAsteraceaeThe aster family, which also includes daisies and sunflowers; from the Greek ἀστήρ, “star,” for the star-shaped flowers
GenusHymenocleaFrom Greek hymen, “membrane,” and kleio, “to enclose”
SpeciessalsolaFrom Latin salsus, “salty”
var.salsolaFrom Latin salsus, “salty”

About plant names...

Cheesebush is native to the Sonoran, Mojave, and Colorado Deserts of Baja California, southern California, southern Nevada, the southwestern corner of Utah, Arizona, and northwest Mexico. It is an early colonizer of disturbed sites, being replaced in time by plants such as creosotebush.

Plants: A rounded, often disheveled shrub 3-8′ high ⨉ 6-24′ around (91-243 cm ⨉ 1.8-7.3 m). It is a perennial, but it drops its leaves during periods of drought.

Leaves: Thin branches have needle-like leaves ¾-3″ (1.9-7.6 cm) long, but only 1/32-1/16″ (1-2 mm) wide. The name comes from a disagreeable cheeselike odor given off when the leaves are crushed.

Flowers: Multiple white male flowers about ¼″ (8.3 mm) in diameter.

Fruits: Pearly, winged fruits are white, yellow, or pink.

Online References:

The USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database

Cabezaprieta.org

CalPhotos

SEINet—the Southwest Environmental Information Network

The Jepson Manual

References:

MacKay, Pam, Mojave Desert Wildflowers: Including the Mojave National Preserve, Death Valley National Park, and Joshua Tree National Park, Morris Book Publishing, LLC, 2013, p. 272

Hymenoclea salsola (cheesebush)

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

Hymenoclea salsola (cheesebush)

5/4/2018 · Hidden Valley, Joshua Tree National Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 20 cm)

Hymenoclea salsola (cheesebush)

2/28/2010 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm)

Hymenoclea salsola (cheesebush)

2/28/2010 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm)

Hymenoclea salsola (cheesebush)

2/28/2010 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm)

Hymenoclea salsola (cheesebush)

4/30/2018 · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)

Hymenoclea salsola (cheesebush)

5/3/2018 · Park Blvd., Joshua Tree National Park · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm)

Hymenoclea salsola (cheesebush)

4/29/2018 · Red Spring Calico Basin, Red Rock Canyon, Nevada · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (12 × 18 cm)

Ambrosia salsola (Torr. & A. Gray) Strother & B.G. Baldw.

Ambrosia salsola (Torr. & A. Gray) Strother & B.G. Baldw. var. salsola

 

Hymenoclea salsola var. salsola description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 10 Sep 2023.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.


 

Hymenoclea salsola (cheesebush)

5/4/2018 · Hidden Valley, Joshua Tree National Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 8 × 5″ (20 × 13 cm)

Hymenoclea salsola (cheesebush)

2/28/2010 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 1½ × 1′ (52 × 34 cm)

Hymenoclea salsola (cheesebush)

5/4/2018 · Hidden Valley, Joshua Tree National Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 8 × 5″ (20 × 13 cm)

Hymenoclea salsola (cheesebush)

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, Cali­fornia · ≈ 6 × 4″ (16 × 11 cm)

Hymenoclea salsola (cheesebush)

5/3/2018 · Park Blvd., Joshua Tree National Park · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)

Hymenoclea salsola (cheesebush)

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

Hymenoclea salsola (cheesebush)

5/3/2018 · Park Blvd., Joshua Tree National Park · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 15 cm)

Hymenoclea salsola (cheesebush)

5/4/2018 · Hidden Valley, Joshua Tree National Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 6 × 4″ (16 × 11 cm)

Hymenoclea salsola (cheesebush)

2/28/2010 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 2 × 1′ (62 × 41 cm)

Range:

About this map...