Figure 37. — Pappus on 

 developing aohene of 

 mountain rubber rabbit- 

 brush (C. nauseosus 

 ssp. salicifoliusj . 

 Specimen from Ephraim 

 Canyon^ Sanpete Co. , 

 Utah (7X). 



two exserted stigmas (fig. 38) and an ovary that develops into a 1-seeded glabrous to 

 densely pubescent achene. The basic chromosome number for rabbitbrush is :c = 9. Poly- 

 ploidy is limited in the genus, having been found in o,ily a few subspecies of C. 

 viscidiflorus (Anderson 1971) . 



The rabbitbrushes are endemic to western North America in open plains, valleys, foot- 

 hills, and mountains from sea level to 3,300 meters (10,900 feet) in elevation (Hitch- 

 cock and others 1969; USDA Forest Service 1974). In addition to their importance as 

 browse and soil stabilizers, rabbitbrushs are used by the Hopi Indians for making wind- 

 breaks, arrows, wickerwork, and as fuel in their ceremonial chambers (kivas) . Flowers 

 and inner bark may be used to make yellow and green dye, respectively (Kearney and Peebles 

 1960). Rabbitbrushes, particularly the larger ones, provide late-season nectar that pro- 

 duces a dark, strong-flavored honey (D. T. Booth, letter 11/16/77). The dark color and 

 late nectar flow (coming after most sources have ceased) make rabbitbrush especially 

 valuable in winter beehives. 



Besides the eight species (C. albidus, C. depressus, C. greenei, C. linifolius, C. 

 nauseosus 3 C. parryi^ C. vaseyi, and C. viscidiflorus ) treated in the publication, there 

 are a few other Chrysothamnus species. Some, for example, C. pulchellus do not occur in 



Figure 38. — Flower head of 

 mountain rubber rabbit- 

 brush (C. nauseosus ssp. 

 salicifolius . Specimen 

 from Ephraim Cany on , 

 Sanpete Co., Utah (7X). 



38 



