Rabbitbush
Ericameria bloomeri
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Ericameria
- Species:
- Ericameria bloomeri
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 1-2 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun, jul, aug, sep, oct, nov
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Keystone Species Ranking
- Bee Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Based on number of native bee species using this genus for pollen and nectar (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis), Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis), Indiscriminate cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus insularis), Indiscriminate cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus insularis), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), Sitka bumble bee (Bombus sitkensis), Sitka bumble bee (Bombus sitkensis), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis), Western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to arid, rocky slopes and open woodlands
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: 2 weeks cold-moist stratification. No germination without stratification, but longer periods (up to 6 weeks) did not enhance germination.
Establishment: Seed collected in late August / September. Seed production can be very limited in some years, and there may be extensive insect damage on seeds and flowering heads. The plant is native to Northwest US., California, Nevada, Idaho, and is found around pumice flats and other dry, open areas in Crater lake.
Source: npn.rngr.net