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:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
- 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, bees, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Requires fire for germination
- Fire Notes:
- Chamise is both fire-adapted (resprouts vigorously from crown burls) and fire-dependent (heat and smoke enhance seed germination). Dominant chaparral species with 30-80 year fire return intervals.
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:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination. Fresh seed germinates best; viability declines rapidly in storage without proper conditions.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI