Ericameria nauseosa aka Rubber Rabbitbrush

Ericameria nauseosa, or rubber rabbitbrush, belongs to the aster family. Older sources call it Chrysothamnus nauseosus. Its native range spans western Canada to northwestern Mexico. It grows across the Great Plains and western United States. Its range includes Oregon, Texas, Sonora, and Baja California. It lives in open plains, deserts, valleys, foothills, and mountains. It often shares these dry sites with sagebrush.

This deciduous shrub has many slim, upright stems. It forms a rounded mound as its branches grow. Garden plants reach 4–7 feet [1.2–2.13 metres] tall. Their spread can reach 7 feet [2.13 metres]. The leaves grow one at a time along each stem. They are narrow, gray-green, and lack leaf stalks. Fine hairs cover both sides of each leaf. Sources differ on whether the leaves have a scent. Young twigs also have hairs and look gray to pale yellow. Older bark turns gray-brown and breaks into fibrous strips. Cut twigs release a milky latex that contains rubber.

Small yellow flowers form rounded groups at the branch tips. The shrub flowers from July through October. Its long bloom season adds color to dry planting areas. Butterflies visit the flowers. Each small fruit is an achene with a tuft. Its sides have ribs or angles. The seed heads may be smooth or bear tiny hairs. These fruits follow the flowers as the growing season ends.

Grow this shrub in full sun and well-drained soil. It accepts average soils with dry to moderate moisture. In the wild, it grows in sand, gravel, and clay. It also thrives where the ground has been disturbed. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA hardiness zones 4–9. Seeds offer a simple way to raise new plants. Plants may also seed themselves around the garden. The shrub grows strongly, but that source does not call it invasive.

Rubber rabbitbrush suits dry gardens, low hedges, and erosion control. Its gray-green leaves contrast with its yellow flowers. Group plantings work best where spreading plants will not cause trouble. Missouri Botanical Garden advises against using it in prominent garden spots. It can fill difficult sites with poor, dry soil. The same source reports no major insect or disease problems. The species-level evidence gives no clear food or toxicity assessment.