Burrobush
Ambrosia dumosa
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Stan Shebs
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Ambrosia
- Species:
- Ambrosia dumosa
- USDA Symbol:
- AMDU2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- green, yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Animomyia morta, Carolella beevorana, Omnivorous Leafroller (Platynota stultana), Schinia dobla, southern emerald (Synchlora frondaria)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- small mammals, desert birds, browsed by herbivores
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, nutrient-poor, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Common in desert environments, adapted to arid conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after rainfall without pretreatment. Warm temperatures and moisture trigger germination in desert conditions.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are soaked/leached in water for 10 to 24 hrs to remove any inhibitors and allow full imbibition of seeds prior to sowing. In some cases, seeds are not treated prior to sowing.
Establishment: Seeds are hand collected either in May of the previous year or when achenes have fully matured. Ambrosia dumosa is found in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts of CA, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and northern Baja California, and the western edge of the Colorado desert in southern California and Arizona.
Source: npn.rngr.net