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Larrea divaricata

Accession Count: 4
Common Name: jarilla
Family Name: Zygophyllaceae
Botanical Name: Larrea divaricata
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics: Small, multi-stemmed evergreen shrub native to South America (particularly Argentina), this variety is native to Argentina. It has small, elliptical leaves, involving a pair of leaflets joined at the base, arranged compound and attached opposite. L. divercata is distinct from other species in that the leaves are divaricated at the tips of the leaves (leaflets are fused near the petiole), whereas L. cuneifola have a singular point. Flowers are bright yellow and appear February-April (early-late spring), but in Tucson and in other areas you can see flowering with an increase of rainfall or other watering outside of this season, especially with an increase in winter showers. Flowers are relatively small, 1/4-1/2 inches long. Each flower has 5 petals and sepals, 10 stamens, and 1 pistil. While flowers are not particularly fragrant, the resin this bush produces (and that coats the leaves) becomes fragrant in a distinct “desert rain” scent when moisture is applied.  The fruit appears in small, rounded pods that are covered by silky white hairs. Pods begin as a light green, then become fully white and covered in hairs when matured. Mericarps appear in groups of five and each contain one seed. Branches and twigs are rough, but do not have spines, thorns, or prickles.
Compound: Lar div
Geographic Origin: South America
Ecozone Origin: Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History: This plant was first described by Spanish botanist Antonio José Cavanilles in the 1800’s, but indigenous peoples have likely known of and utilized this plant for centuries.
Cultivation Notes: Reproduces from seeds and clonal rings. Releases an allelopathic compound to reduce competition of other plants within the area. Responds well to pruning of “leggy” branches, produces a more robust and full bush with regular, light pruning.
Ethnobotany: Larrea divaricata and other species within Larrea are used for many folk medicines due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties. The leaves, bark and twigs can all be used, or ground into powders to make teas or poultices, but the leaves are most common for medicinal use. A small amount of the leaves is typical for dosing and treats digestive ailments like diarrhea and nausea. Medicines are also made from teas for colds, congestion and breathing ailments. Decoctions can also be utilized for cleansing skin, and as this plant has anti-inflammatory properties, helps treat swollen limbs and rheumatic issues. There are also scientific studies that support evidence of L. divaricata’s potential to shrink tumors. As with most plants used for medicinal purposes, over-ingestion can cause toxic reactions, and is not recommended for pregnant or lactating peoples, those attempting to conceive, or those with liver function issues. Other notes of interest: This plant is known as creosote bush due to the similarity in scent to the commercially produced creosote tar, and as jarrilla potentially because of the jar-like shape of the flowers, or the tendency of leaves to close up when there is less moisture. Another potential for the name jarrilla could be the plant’s reactivity to water, as it produces more rapid growth when watered. Creosote bush in general also has phytoremediative properties.
Height: 6 - 10 feet
Width: 6 - 10 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate Growing
Grow Season: Summer
Flower Season: Spring
Color: Green
Function: Patio
Spread: Non-spreading
Allergen: Non-allergenic
Invasive: Benign
Toxicity: Benign
Hardy: Hardy
Water Use: Low water Use
Citations:
  1. Blakeslee, Sandra. “After 11,700 Years, World’s Oldest Known Plant Gains Refuge.” The New York Times, 24 Feb. 1985, www.nytimes.com/1985/02/24/us/after-11700-years-world-s-oldest-known-plant-gains-refuge.html#.
  2. Carabajal, Mónica, et al. “The Use of Jarilla Native Plants in a Diaguita-Calchaquí Indigenous Community from Northwestern Argentina: An Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical and Biological Approach.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 247, 28 Sept. 2019, pp. 112258–112258, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2019.112258.
  3. “Creosotebush - Parashant National Monument.” Www.nps.gov, National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior, 15 Jan. 2020, www.nps.gov/para/learn/nature/creosotebush.htm.
  4. Hunziker, J., et al. “Species Disjunctions in Larrea: Evidence from Morphology, Cytogenetics, Phenolic Compounds, and Seed Albumins.” Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, vol. 59, no. 2, 1972, pp. 224–233, https://doi.org/10.2307/2394755.
  5. Hunziker, Juan. “On the Geographical Origin of Larrea Divaricata (Zygophyllaceae).” Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, vol. 62, no. 2, 1975, pp. 497–500, https://doi.org/10.2307/2395211.
  6. “Larrea Divaricata.” Find Trees and Learn, University of Arizona Campus Arboretum, 2012, apps.cals.arizona.edu/arboretum/taxon.aspx?id=739.
  7. “Larrea Divaricata Cav.” Legacy.tropicos.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, legacy.tropicos.org/Name/34600002.
  8. Marco, Diana E, et al. “Patterns of Flowering and Fruiting in Populations of Larrea Divaricata in Dry Chaco (Argentina).” Journal of Arid Environments, vol. 44, no. 3, 25 May 2002, pp. 327–346, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140196399905980, https://doi.org/10.1006/jare.1999.0598.
  9. Mercado, María Inés, et al. “Morphoanatomical and Histochemical Characterization of Larrea Species from Northwestern of Argentina.” Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia, vol. 28, no. 4, 19 July 2018, pp. 393–401, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjp.2018.05.012.
  10. Mills, Simon, and Kerry Bone. The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. St. Louis, Mo., Elsevier Churchill Livingstone, 2005, pp. 329–332.
  11. Peralta, Ignacio, et al. “Larrea Divaricata: Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects on Macrophages and Low Density Lipoproteins.” BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, vol. 22, no. 1, 23 Mar. 2022, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-022-03547-8. Accessed 1 Mar. 2023.
  12. Romney, E. M., et al. “Contamination of Plant Follage with Radioactive Fallout.” Ecology, vol. 44, no. 2, Apr. 1963, pp. 343–349, www.jstor.org/stable/1932181?searchText=larrea+divercata&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dlarrea%2Bdivercata%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A932f9b3442e0bbd142fb374c3bb2dbb0, https://doi.org/10.2307/1932181.
  13. Segesso, L., et al. “Soluble Phenolics Extracted from Larrea Divaricata Leaves Modulate Soil Microbial Activity and Perennial Grass Establishment in Arid Ecosystems of the Patagonian Monte, Argentina.” Plant Ecology, vol. 220, no. 4/5, 27 Mar. 2019, pp. 441–456, www.jstor.org/stable/i20051201.
  14. “Species Detail Woody, Cacti, Succulent.” Arizona.edu, 2022, cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetail.php?genus=Larrea&species=tridentata.
  15. Stege, P.W., et al. “Antimicrobial Activity of Aqueous Extracts of Larrea Divaricata Cav (Jarilla) against Helicobacter Pylori.” Phytomedicine, vol. 13, no. 9-10, 28 Oct. 2005, pp. 724–727, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0944711305002023?via%3Dihub, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2005.06.008.
  16. Wells, Philip V., and Juan H. Hunziker. “Origin of the Creosote Bush (Larrea) Deserts of Southwestern North America.” Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, vol. 63, no. 4, 1976, pp. 843–861, https://doi.org/10.2307/2395251.

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Larrea divaricata