Chamise
Adenostoma fasciculatum
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
John Rusk (www.flickr.com) from Berkeley, CA, United States of America
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Adenostoma
- Species:
- Adenostoma fasciculatum
- USDA Symbol:
- ADFA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 400 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Evergreen Shrub:
- Yes
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Argyrotaenia niscana, Aristotelia adenostomae, Aristotelia eldorada, Aroga eldorada, Aseptis genetrix, Bank's emerald moth (Chlorosea banksaria), Electra buckmoth (Hemileuca electra), Elegant Sheep Moth (Hemileuca eglanterina), Hulstina wrightiaria, Lacinipolia quadrilineata, Nasusina vaporata, Paleacrita longiciliata, Pleurota albastrigulella, Pterotaea lamiaria, Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak (Satyrium tetra)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Aethaloida packardaria, Pacific tent caterpillar (Malacosoma constricta) Butterflies:Hedgerow Hairstreak (Satyrium saepium)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, small mammals
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from basal burl after fire; seeds also germinate in post-fire conditions.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- adapted to chaparral ecosystems
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from scarification (hot water or mechanical) followed by cold stratification.