| Greasewood |
Articles about Greasewood |
Information AboutGreasewood |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT GREASEWOOD | |
| caryophyllales | |
| flora of the lower colorado river valley | |
| flora of western united states | |
Greasewood (''Sarcobatus'') is a genus of one or two Species of Flowering Plant s. Traditionally it has been treated in the Family Chenopodiaceae , but the APG II System , of 2003, places it in the family Sarcobataceae . The plants are Deciduous Shrub s growing to 0.5-3 m tall with Spiny branches and Succulent Leaves , 10-40 mm long and 1-2 mm broad. The leaves are green, in contrast to the grey-green color of most of the other shrubs within its range. Their area of distribution is western North America , from southeastern British Columbia and southwest Alberta , Canada , south through the drier regions of the United States (east to North Dakota and west Texas , west to central Washington and eastern California ) to northern Mexico ( Coahuila ). Greasewood is a Halophyte , and is commonly found around the margins of Playa s. It is replaced by Iodine Bush in extremely saline environments, such as hummocks within the playa itself. Greasewood does not grow exclusively in highly saline areas, but is most common on fine-grained soils in areas with a relatively high water table. ;Species The two species are not accepted as distinct by all authors; see the ''Flora of North America'' for further details.
The name ''Sarcobatus'' comes from Greek ''sarko'' (meaning ''flesh'') and ''batos'' (meaning ''bramble''), referring to the species' spiny branches and Succulent leaves. Although it can be grazed by animals that are adapted, grazing of greasewood by sheep and cattle can result in or Potassium Oxalate . Sheep are the most vulnerable. Greasewood was commonly used for firewood by Native Americans and early settlers. EXTERNAL LINKS
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