creosote bush

noun

1. any of several shrubs belonging to the genus Larrea, of the caltrop family, especially L. tridentata, of arid regions of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, having yellow flowers and resinous foliage with a strong odor of creosote.

creosote bush

noun

1. Also called: greasewood. a shrub, Larrea (or Covillea ) tridentata of the western US and Mexico, that has resinous leaves with an odour resembling creosote, and can live for many thousands of years: family Zygophyllaceae

Word History and Origins

Origin of creosote bush¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50