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Burrobush

Ambrosia dumosa

true

1 gallon

Burrobush

In stock

3'x3'

Sizes:

Burrobush — Ambrosia dumosa

Also known as: Burro-weed, White Bursage

Burrobush is one of the most common and ecologically important plants in the Creosote Bush Scrub community of the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, including the Colorado Desert. Though subtle in appearance, this tough, long-lived shrub forms rounded mounds of finely branched stems with soft, grayish-white foliage that offers a unique contrast in native landscapes. Its form is both airy and full, and its unusual color can be used to highlight other desert plants with darker green or more structural shapes.

This plant is a cornerstone of desert revegetation and habitat restoration work, often used as the main understory species beneath creosote bush. It grows best in full sun with well-drained soils and thrives with very little supplemental water. However, a bit of irrigation in dry winters can invigorate the plant, and occasional summer watering (especially in gardens) will keep it looking fuller. That said, too much water can cause overgrowth and legginess, so restraint is key.

The tiny yellow-green flowers are wind-pollinated and often go unnoticed, except by allergy sufferers—burrobush is a prolific pollen producer, especially in spring. After flowering, it produces small, prickly burs that stick to clothing and fur.

While not especially showy, Burrobush is a wildlife workhorse. It’s an important food source for desert herbivores, especially in drought years when little else is available. Kangaroo rats, black-tailed jackrabbits, bighorn sheep, and other mammals browse the foliage or eat the seeds. The plant also supports small native bees, beetles, and butterflies during bloom.

Wildlife Value

Host Plant: —
Nectar Source: Small native bees; Tiny Checkerspot (Dymasia dymas) [occasional]
Bird Resources: Seeds; Insects; Shelter
Bird Species: Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata); White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys); California Towhee (Melozone crissalis)

Plant Care

Native region:

Local Native

Water needs:

Very Low

Exposure:

Full Sun

Mature size:

3'x3'

Growth rate:

Fast

Flower color:

Cream

Flower season:

Winter; Spring

Pruning:

Slight shearing during the fall before the onset of winter growth is used to increase landscape symmetry.

Cold Hardiness:

10 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Larval host:

Yes

Bees:

Yes

Bats:

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Yes

Nest materials:

Rabbit-resistant:

Yes

Tortoises:

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.