Adenostoma

Adenostoma is a small genus of evergreen shrubs in the rose family (Rosaceae), native to western North America. The best-known species is Adenostoma fasciculatum, commonly called chamise, a dominant shrub in the California chaparral and surrounding dry woodlands.

Chamise is typically a multi-stemmed shrub that grows about 1–3 meters tall, with slender gray-green stems. Its leaves are very narrow and occur in crowded clusters along the twigs, producing delicate evergreen foliage. Flowers are small and pale pink to white, arranged in dense panicles at the ends of branches in spring. The fruits are small dry capsules.

Habitat and ecology: Adenostoma fasciculatum inhabits well-drained soils on dry slopes and mesas within Mediterranean climates of California and parts of Baja California. It is drought-tolerant and adapted to fire; it can resprout after fire and also regenerate from seeds, contributing to the regeneration dynamics of chaparral ecosystems. Its oils and dense growth influence fire behavior in fire-prone regimes.

Cultivation and uses: The plant is used in native and drought-tolerant landscapes for its year-round evergreen foliage and architectural form. It is employed in erosion control on slopes and as a specimen or hedge plant in suitable climates. When planted in fire-prone areas, appropriate fire-management considerations are important due to its flammable foliage.

Taxonomy: Adenostoma is a small genus within Rosaceae, with Adenostoma fasciculatum (chamise) as the most widely recognized species.