Greasewood
Sarcobatus vermiculatus
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
iNaturalist: © yardude59 (iNaturalist #61492782)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Sarcobataceae
- Genus:
- Sarcobatus
- Species:
- Sarcobatus vermiculatus
- USDA Symbol:
- SAVE4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- greenish
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Abagrotis discoidalis, Abagrotis placida, Eucosma ridingsana, Saturnia anona, Saturnia galbina, Scrobipalpa atriplicella, Syssphinx heiligbrodti, tricolor buckmoth (Hemileuca tricolor), California tortoiseshell (Nymphalis californica)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown after fire; fire can reduce mature stands but plants recover.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- saline, alkaline, well-drained sandy soil
- pH:
- 7.5 - 9.0 (alkaline to strongly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in arid desert regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification; sow in fall or stratify for 30-60 days before spring planting.
Pre-treatment: Not given
Establishment: The provided protocol lacks specific information on propagation source, pre-treatment, establishment protocol, temperature, germination rate, and germination time range for Andromeda polifolia.
Source: npn.rngr.net