Appearance
"Larrea tridentata" is an evergreen shrub growing to 1 to 3 metres tall, rarely 4 metres. The stems of the plant bear resinous, dark green leaves with two opposite lanceolate leaflets joined at the base, with a deciduous awn between them, each leaflet 7 to 18 millimetres long and 4 to 8.5 millimetres broad. The flowers are up to 25 millimetres in diameter, with five yellow petals. Galls may form by the activity of the creosote gall midge. The whole plant exhibits a characteristic odor of creosote, from which the common name derives. In the regions where it grows its smell is often associated with the "smell of rain".
Naming
It is a flowering plant in the family Zygophyllaceae. The name 'tridentata' refers to its three-toothed leaves.
Distribution
"Larrea tridentata" is a prominent species in the Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan Deserts of western North America, and its range includes those and other regions in portions of southeastern California, Arizona, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah, New Mexico and Texas in the United States, and northern Chihuahua and Sonora in Mexico. The species grows as far east as Zapata County, Texas, along the Rio Grande southeast of Laredo near the 99th meridian west.Habitat
Creosote bush is most common on the well-drained soils of alluvial fans and flats. In parts of its range, it may cover large areas in practically pure stands, though it usually occurs in association with "Ambrosia dumosa". Chemicals found in creosote bush roots have been shown to inhibit the growth of burro bush roots, but as of 2013 much of their relationship remains unexplained.Creosote bush stands tend to display an evenly spaced distribution of plants. Originally, it was assumed that the plant produced a water-soluble inhibitor that prevented the growth of other bushes near mature, healthy bushes. Now, however, it has been shown that the root systems of mature creosote plants are simply so efficient at absorbing water that fallen seeds nearby cannot accumulate enough water to germinate, effectively creating dead zones around every plant. It also seems that all plants within a stand grow at approximately the same rate, and that the creosote bush is a very long-living plant.
Defense
"Larrea tridentata" is often referred to as "chaparral" when used as a herbal remedy and supplement; however, it does not grow in the synonymous plant community chaparral. The United States Food and Drug Administration has issued warnings about the health hazards of ingesting "chaparral" or using it as an internal medicine, and discourages its use. In 2005, Health Canada issued a warning to consumers to avoid using the leaves of "Larrea" species because of the risk of damage to the liver and kidneys.Cancer Research UK state that: "We don’t recommend that you take chaparral to treat or prevent any type of cancer."
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