Adenostoma fasciculatum

Common Names

Chamise, Greasewood, Common Chamise

Summary

Chamise is an evergreen shrub native to California and northern Baja California that forms dense, multi-branched stands in dry chaparral and sage scrub on poor, well-drained soils. It features slender stems arising from a deep underground lignotuber that allows rapid resprouting after fire, crowded needle-like leaves in fascicles, and reddish shreddy bark; foliage is resinous and flammable, with small white flowers in terminal clusters and small obovoid fruits.

Preferring full sun and very low irrigation once established, it tolerates a range of well-drained soils from sandy to clay and pH 5.0–8.0; widely used for erosion control, slope stabilization, windbreaks, and hedges, with a deep root system and drought tolerance. Propagation is by seed or cuttings, and it is fire-adapted, sprouting from the lignotuber after fire; it is highly flammable and should be planted away from dwellings; supports wildlife including bees and butterflies; hardy to USDA zones 8a–11; deer and rabbit resistant.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

2-13 feet

Spread

3-12 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 8a-10b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun. Tolerates partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained soil, often coarse sandy loam or loamy sands, with neutral to slightly acidic pH.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

5.0-8.0

Bloom Color

White to cream, creamy white, sometimes yellow

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Dark green

Fall Foliage Color

No fall color — evergreen (no color change)

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen needle

Growth Rate

Rapid

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Stump Sprouts, Burl-based vegetative resprouting after fire

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, other pollinators (beetles and Halictid bees), and birds are attracted