Southwest Colorado Wildflowers, Chrysothamnus depressus

There are a number of Rabbitbrushes in the Four Corners area; the two most common are Chrysothamnus nauseosus and Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus. Both have similar habitats, but C. viscidiflorus ranges into the mountains more. C. nauseosus, the most common Rabbitbrush in our area, often grows seven feet tall and wide with a wide-spreading open crown. It is easily distinguished by the white felt covering its twigs. C. viscidiflorus grows to three or four feet with a tighter growth pattern; it has sticky flowers and its leaves are twisted. Both often sprout dozens of bushes in one area.

All Rabbitbrush species shown on this web site are late flowering, usually in August and September when their crowns become a bright golden glow of flowers. This glow gives rise to the Latin name "Chryso" " thamnus", "golden" "bush". Thomas Nuttall named this genus in the early 19th century for its "affinity to [the genus] Chrysocoma and brilliant golden yellow flowers."

Chrysothamnus depressus (Rabbitbrush)
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

Foothills. Open woodlands, meadows. Summer, fall.
Lone Mesa State Park, August 1, 2009.

This low shrub (hence "depressus"?), usually not more than a foot tall, can be uncommon to abundant. Its flowers, as those of others in this genus, are small but occur in large numbers making the shrub attractive and conspicuous.

Chrysothamnus depressus was found for science (probably in the 1830s) by Thomas Nuttall and he described it in 1848.

Chrysothamnus depressus (Rabbitbrush)
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

Foothills. Open woodlands, meadows. Summer, fall.
Lone Mesa State Park, August 1, 2009.

Chrysothamnus depressus (Rabbitbrush)
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

Foothills. Open woodlands, meadows. Summer, fall.
Lone Mesa State Park, August 1, 2009.

The phyllaries are sharply pointed and strongly ribbed giving the flower head a prickly and angular appearance.