All flowers
Coulter Bush Wikimedia Commons
Asteraceae

Coulter Bush

Hymenoclea salsola

Desert resilience.

Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Hymenoclea
Native to
Southwestern United States, Northern Mexico
Bloom season
Spring
Type
Deciduous shrub
Height
60-150 cm
Sunlight
Full sun
Soil
Sandy, well-drained, alkaline
Water
Very low
Hardiness
8-11
Lifespan
Perennial

Did you know

  • Coulter bush thrives in desert washes and sandy arroyos where flash floods periodically occur.
  • It was named after Thomas Coulter, an Irish botanist who explored the American Southwest.
  • The plant's narrow, resinous leaves help reduce water loss in extreme desert heat.
  • Its wind-pollinated flowers produce large amounts of pollen that can trigger allergies.
  • After desert rains, the bush quickly produces new growth and can flower within weeks.

Color meanings

0

Survival

1

Adaptability

2

Tenacity

Uses

  • Desert landscaping
  • Erosion control
  • Wildlife habitat
  • Native plant restoration