
Larrea tridentata
Larrea tridentata
Safety & Hazards
The plant is rich in resins and is generally unpalatable to grazing animals, and is usually toxic, sometimes causing death[ 692 Title Wildland Shrubs of the United States and its Territories: Thamnic Descriptions Publication Author Francis J.K. (Editor) Website http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/wildland_shrubs.htm Publisher USDA; Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestr Year 2000 ISBN Description An excellent series of papers, in PDF format, from various authors giving quite detailed information on a range of shrubs growing in the United States and its Territories. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ]. There is some concern over the potential toxic effect of this plant upon the liver[ 254 Title The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Publication Author Chevallier. A. Publisher Dorling Kindersley. London Year 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148 Description An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world. ]. There have been a number of cases of acute or sub-acute hepatitis attributed to the medicinal use of this herb and so its internal use is not recommended until further research has been carried out[ 254 Title The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Publication Author Chevallier. A. Publisher Dorling Kindersley. London Year 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148 Description An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world. ].
Botanical Description
Larrea tridentata is an evergreen shrub that usually grows around 100 - 150cm tall but can reach 300cm[ 692 Title Wildland Shrubs of the United States and its Territories: Thamnic Descriptions Publication Author Francis J.K. (Editor) Website http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/wildland_shrubs.htm Publisher USDA; Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestr Year 2000 ISBN Description An excellent series of papers, in PDF format, from various authors giving quite detailed information on a range of shrubs growing in the United States and its Territories. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is grown as an ornamental in arid areas.