Rubber rabbitbrush was considered as a source of rubber as early as 1904. Several studies have been conducted on the possible use of rubber rabbitbrush as a source of rubber including ones during World Wars I and II, and in 1987. Between 2005 and 2008, the University of Nevada researched possible material applications of rubber rabbitbrush. One possible commercial use of the species would be as a source for hypoallergenic rubber for use in products designed for people with latex allergies.

Eric- is ancient root for heath or broom, and amari means bitter; the species, nauseosa, means to vomit or be nauseous. There are 40 species of Ericameria distributed in western Canada (Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia) western United States (from the western Great Plains to the Pacific) and northern Mexico.

Two subspecies have been described, consimilis (the green form with 8 varieties) and nauseosa (the gray form with 14 varieties)

Found in open places in valleys, plains, and foothills from 2,000-8,000 ft. in most of western North America; from Vancouver, Canada east to Saskatchewan and south to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California; south into central Mexico.