Dye Plant of the Month: Rabbitbrush, rubber rabbitbrush, chamisa (Ericameria nauseosa, formerly Chrysothamnus nauseosus) Plant Family: Asteraceae (Compositae) Description: Perennial; rounded shrubs or subshrubs, 12 – 90” tall, with yellow flower clusters in late summer – early fall. When crushed, gives off a foul-smelling odor. Origin and Current Range: Native to western half of U.S. and Canada. Found in most counties in Colorado. Habitat: Full sun; dry, sandy, gravelly, or heavy clayey and alkali soils. Often found on poorly managed rangelands, in disturbed areas along roadways and on abandoned agricultural land. Reproduction and Cultivation: Reproduces from seeds and root sprouts. Can be pruned back to several inches in spring to improve its ornamental value. Dye Color and Parts Used for Dye: Yellow dyes produced from flower clusters and twigs in wool mordanted with alum. Other Information: Flowers and stems used by the Navajo and Zuñi as a dye source; the stems also used to make baskets. Useful as forage for wildlife, especially during winter months when the chemical compounds in the plants are less potent. First plant to be tested during WW I and again during WWII as a source of rubber. Possible source of bio-fuel. Gaining popularity as a xeriscaping shrub. References: 1. Bliss, Anne. 1976. Rocky Mountain Dye Plants. Published by Anne Bliss. 2. Krochmal, Arnold and Connie. 1974. The Complete Illustrated Book of Dyes from Natural Sources. Doubleday and Company, N.Y. 3. Bryan, Nonabah G., Stella Young and Charles Keetsie Shirley. 1940. US Dept. of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Education. 4. U.S. Forest Service Native Plant Dyes: http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/ethnobotany/dyes.shtml For more information, contact the Dye Garden Study Group at [email protected]..