Creosote Bush Seeds

These fuzzy seeds belong to the creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), a plant that is native to the arid regions of the southwestern US and northern Mexico.

The plants are noted for their musky, rain-like odor, often compared to the smell of creosote—a byproduct of wood burning that accumulates in chimneys. These plants are among the oldest living organisms on Earth, with some individuals estimated to be more than 11,000 years old. New plants typically don’t produce fruit or seeds until they are 10–20 years of age.

Creosote bushes are very resilient, even in harsh desert conditions, such as extreme heat, drought, and poor soil quality. They have small, waxy leaves that help reduce water loss through transpiration, and their branches are covered with a resinous substance that helps protect them from herbivores and disease-causing pathogens.
Additionally, indigenous peoples of the region have long used the plant for a wide range of medicinal and cultural purposes.

Each vial contains approximately 8 - 10 seeds.

Creosote bush with blurred background image by Felipe Sanchez