Turpentinebroom – Thamnosma montana

Turpentinebroom is also called Mojave Desert Rue. It is a shrub of arid regions such as the deserts of southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. The plant is an herbaceous perennial. Turpentimebroom is in the family Rutaceaea, which makes it related to citrus. Thamnosa montana is found growing in canyons,desert dry scrub, juniper forests and desert plains. It is part of a community of plants that include creosote, yucca, ephedra and blackbrush.
Turpentinebroom forms a low scraggly shrub approximately 2 feet across. It is leafless most of the year except right after spring rains. Stems are green to yellowish-green, firm and rangy, 1 to 2 feet in length. They are speckled with resin glands. The lack of foliage gives it a broom like appearance. Turpentinebroom flowers in March to April. Blooms are borne on racemes and are vase shaped, lavender in appearance. These become small greenish yellow fruits, fleshy with pitted skin, looking much like a pox riddled plum.
Thamnosma montana is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5 to 10. It can withstand temperatures down to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant is found growing in full sun to partial shade in almost any soil so long as it is well draining.
Native Americans used the plant as a ceremonial drug. They also used it as a pest control and believed it had medicinal uses.

Descriptions

• Seedlings - No information.
• Stems - Rigid, yellowish green, resinous
• Leaves - Yellow-Green
• Flowers - Purple
• Fruits - Yellowish green drupe
• Seeds - No information.
• Roots - No information.

Plant Details

• Type - Perennial
• USDA Zones - 5-10
• Flower Colors - Purple
• Plant Height - 2 feet
• Plant Width - 1-2 feet
• Bloomtime Period - Early Spring
• Native Habitat - Southwestern US and northern Mexican deserts
• Toxicity and allergic reactions - No information.
• What Parts Toxic - No information.
• Toxic to humans - No information.
• Toxic to cats - No information.
• Toxic to dogs - No information.
• Edible - No information.
• Edible Parts - No information.
• Spacing - No information.
• Planting Depth - No information.
• Invasive - No information.
• Special Features - No information.

Growing Information

• Light Requirement - Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Requirements - Any pH, Rocky, Sandy, Dry
• Care Information - No information.
• Propagation Methods - Bare Root, Cutting, Seeds,
• Harvest Information - No information.
• Seed Collection Information - No information.
• Pruning - No information.
• Common Pests - No information.
• Common Diseases - No information.
• Landscape Uses - No information.

Facts & Trivia