Antelope bitterbrush is a single- to many-stemmed, intricately branched, late-deciduous
to evergreen shrub growing 2 to 16 feet tall. The small, showy, white, cream, or yellow flowers have both male and female parts and are arranged along the branches. Flowering begins after plants reach maturity at about 8-10 years of age. Flowers are insect- and wind- pollinated.
Although antelope bitterbrush grows best on deep, well-drained, gravelly, loamy, course sands and rocky soils, it is also adapted to a wide range of soil types. Typical habitats include dry lake beds, plains, foothills, alluvial fans or terraces, mountain slopes, mesas, and open woodlands. It is found in sagebrush, chaparral, mountain brush, pinyon-juniper, and ponderosa pine communities. It is drought-tolerant but shade intolerant.
