Bitterbrush Antelope Brush Antelope Bitterbrush

Purshia tridentata (Rosaceae) is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub native to the dry interior of western North America from British Columbia to Baja California and east to Montana and New Mexico. It grows 3 to 8 feet tall with a rounded habit and small, three-lobed (tridentate) leaves. Small, fragrant, creamy yellow flowers appear in late spring.

Bitterbrush is a critical browse plant for mule deer and other wildlife in sagebrush-steppe ecosystems. It grows in full sun on dry, well-drained soils and is extremely drought tolerant. The species fixes atmospheric nitrogen. It is rarely used in ornamental plantings but has significant value for habitat restoration in arid rangelands.