Fernbush
Chamaebatiaria millefolium
Family: Rosaceae
Mostly evergreen (semi-evergreen in very cold climates), fragrantly-leaved plant growing to about 4-5’ tall and wide. In favorable conditions it can grow 6-8’. The trunk can develop to be flaky and red. White aromatic flowers appear in summer.
Part sun in the low desert, full to part in higher elevations, with regular water (moderate in higher elevations), with well-drained soil. Hardy to -30°F.
Nectar-rich flowers attract a lot of butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.
The plant is used medicinally, internally and externally. Used for lung ailments and coughs, and to treat venereal disease.
Only one species in the genus Chamaebatiaria (monotypic). The genus name refers to the genus Chamaebatia, from the ancient Greek – a dwarf bramble of low, sprawling nature. The species, millefolium, means small leaves.
Fernbush's closest and only relative is Spiraeanthus, native to the lower elevations of the Karatau Mountains and gravel deserts of Kazakhstan.
Found on dry, rocky slopes, washes, plains, piñon-juniper woodlands, ponderosa pine forests from 4,500-8,000 ft. throughout the western United States into Arizona.